Scientific

The war in Iran has put a spanner in the works for travel plans with many countries now off-limits – here are six replacement destinations for people looking to change their March getaway

There have been many knock-on effects of the Iran war which ignited a week ago. While no means the most important, a disruption to travel plans has been one factor to consider.

Parts of the Middle East have been popular with British tourists, particularly Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. The cities offer almost year-round sunshine, incredible hotels and luxury breaks that entice UK tourists to snap up trips in their droves.

Those destinations, along with a host of other hotspots in the Middle East and Mediterranean, are now effectively no-go zones, at least temporarily.

Fortunately travel writer Annabelle Thorpe has compiled a list of six possible destinations to book your holiday to instead.

Athens

The expert recommends swapping Cyprus for the iconic Greek capital. Athens is pretty quiet in March which means the famous Acropolis and the Parthenon are likely to be virtually crowd-free.

March is considered ‘shoulder season’ in Athens with fewer crowds and more pleasant temperatures as the mercury normally hovers around 16-17C.

There are direct flights from five airports – Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton and London City – with a range of carriers including easyJet, Ryanair and Wizz Air.

Seville

If you had a trip to Istanbul in the pipeline, Annabelle says consider going to Seville instead. The city in the south of Spain is famed for its Moorish palace, Gothic cathedrals and flamenco dancing.

Seville enjoys daytime highs of around 22C in March, making for a cool contrast before the stifling summer heat. Visitors can also enjoy the blooming orange trees and the preparations for the Easter festivities.

Most London airports as well as Manchester, Birmingham and Edinburgh offer direct flights to the city.

Tunis

If Amman, the capital of Jordan, was on your travel list, the expert suggests making a beeline for Tunis instead. The ancient city, the capital of modern day Tunisia, offers an incredible blend of Mediterranean charm, French colonial history and Arab heritage.

It also boasts a UNESCO-listed medina along with the ancient ruins of Carthage. Daytime highs in the city are a pleasant 20C.

Direct flights depart from Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton and Stansted, with Tunisair the main carrier.

Marrakech

Annabelle recommends trading in the UAE’s glitzy malls for a spot of shopping in Marrakech’s world famous medina instead. It’s a great spot to shop for cashmere shawls, handmade jewellery, antiques, spices and much more.

Away from the hectic souks, there is Jardin Majorelle, a one-hectare botanical landscape garden, and the bustling Jemaa El Fna Square. Temperatures can reach a pretty steamy 25C in March but many riads have pools to allow their visitors to cool off.

Several airports fly direct to the Moroccan city, including major London hubs and Manchester, Birmingham and John Lennon Airport in Liverpool among others.

Gran Canaria

Bodrum has long been popular with Brits seeking winter or early spring sun. But with its proximity to the war zone, Annabelle called on tourists to try out Gran Canaria instead.

The island is the third-largest and second-most-populous island of the Canary Islands. March highs reach around 22C, but the sun-drenched beaches along with the duty-free shopping and nightlife make it a rival for Turkey’s holiday resorts.

Over 15 airports offer direct flights to the island’s capital Las Palmas, including London’s hubs and Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle and Bristol.

Nice

One of the big draws of Dubai is its city-beach combination. Many British tourists enjoy soaking up the sun before enjoying some shopping. The travel expert puts forward Nice, on the French Riviera, as an alternative to the popular UAE city.

The Promenade des Anglais sweeps along a four-mile stretch of seafront, and that couples with the open-air bars and restaurants make for a heady mix.

You can catch direct flights from most London hubs along with Manchester, Edinburgh and Belfast.

Portugal is a firm favourite with Brits, and the capital city of Lisbon is one of the cheapest city breaks in Europe – and it’s less than 3 hours from the UK

A breathtaking European city offering £1.30 pints and 19C temperatures in March is merely a three-hour flight from the UK. Approximately 2.4 million Brits are believed to have visited Lisbon in Portugal for a city break during 2024.

Whilst the city might be viewed as a less conventional destination, it features filter coffees for under £1.25, whilst beer in the Portuguese capital is “among some of the cheapest in Europe”. A glass of wine will meanwhile set travellers back £1.93 in Lisbon, compared to roughly £9.86 in destinations such as Oslo in Norway.

Speaking on Channel 4’s Bargain Holiday Secrets, A Place in the Sun presenter Jasmine Harman commented: “It really pays to do your research. The capital city of Portugal has all the charm you could ask for but it’s one of the cheapest city breaks out there though it may not be your ideal destination.”

Lisbon also provides Brits with an opportunity to catch some winter sunshine if they venture there during the colder months. The capital city experiences average temperatures ranging from 17C to 19C in March.

During the summer, temperatures can climb as high as 28C in Lisbon. The city also remains dry for much of the year, with the majority of rainfall occurring between November and February.

A flight from London to Lisbon takes roughly between 2hrs 30minutes and 2hrs 55minutes. And on SkyScanner, flights from London to the city are available from just £49 next month.

The Portuguese capital has no shortage of attractions either. As one of the world’s most ancient cities, trailing only Athens in age, Lisbon showcases millennia of heritage, with the Castle of São Jorge hailed as an “unmissable” must-see.

Perched at the city’s highest elevation, the castle nestles within Lisbon’s most authentic neighbourhoods. Meanwhile, the Terreiro do Paço stands as the capital’s emblematic square, reconstructed in 1755 after a catastrophic earthquake devastated the area.

Visit Lisbon recommends the square for a “very pleasant walk” beside the River Tagus during late afternoon hours, noting: “It is also a very beautiful view from the river as you pass on a boat.”

Downtown, the remarkable Santa Justa elevator represents another essential stop. Crafted by celebrated architect Gustav Eiffel, this lift provides breathtaking panoramas across the city’s historic quarters.

Two UNESCO World Heritage Sites grace Lisbon – the Jerónimos Monastery and the Tower of Belém. Commissioned by King Manuel I, the monastery exemplifies the elaborate Manueline architectural tradition characteristic of the capital.

After dark, Lisbon truly comes alive. Travellers can browse boutiques in the fashionable Chiado neighbourhood before savouring dinner in the lively Bairro Alto district.

Culture enthusiasts, meanwhile, can explore the national tile museum or the coach museum. Portugal’s distinctive Fado musical tradition has also garnered international acclaim.

The music, typically featuring a vocalist accompanied by a guitarist, frequently echoes through the cobbled streets of Alfama, Mouraria or Madragoa. Meanwhile, the fado vadio tradition commonly sees an amateur performer take the lead, with guitar players joining in spontaneously.

A travel influencer sparked controversy after branding a popular city the ‘worst in Italy’ and claiming it was filthy. She was so unimpressed, she willingly lost money on her hotel booking so she could check out earlier

A travel influencer has labelled a city the “worst” in Italy, claiming she was so disappointed during her visit that she left early and deliberately lost out on money by cutting her stay short.

Yet her remarks have sparked controversy. This is likely because Italy remains an extraordinarily popular destination among holidaymakers and travel enthusiasts from all over the world.

Celebrated for its exceptional, world-class cuisine, elaborate architectural heritage, artworld masterpieces, prestigious fashion brands, rich historical tapestry and cultural significance, plus much more. Despite Italy’s abundant offerings, one woman has denounced one of its most popular cities, describing it as “filthy”.

Karo, who shares content online as @karosolotravel, turned to TikTok to voice her opinions about Bologna, a city celebrated for its extensive collection of UNESCO-designated medieval porticoes set among characterful red-roofed historic buildings.

It’s equally renowned and cherished for its indulgent pasta specialities, such as tortellini and tagliatelle al ragù, yet Karo remained underwhelmed.

Throughout the clips she recorded, she captured some graffiti daubed on metal waste bins and stone columns, along with a discarded cigarette end on the ground.

She additionally filmed a rough sleeper covered by a sleeping bag and blankets positioned outside a shop entrance. Karo also featured footage of multiple Bologna streets, which appeared deserted but otherwise pristine and devoid of any litter or vandalism.

During one segment, she directed the camera towards herself and filmed while she walked about with a tissue pressed against her nose, claiming the area smelt offensive. In the caption beneath her video, she wrote: “The worst Italian city I’ve ever been to. It smells of urine everywhere, it’s filthy, and you can tell it hasn’t been cleaned in years.

“Why aren’t the city authorities cleaning the streets and buildings? Those orange buildings are black. And that awful stench.”

Karo went on: “I came here to eat pasta bolognese, but I felt like vomiting and barely ate a thing! Why do people on TikTok recommend Bologna? It’s disgusting! I fled Bologna for Rimini, gave up on my hotel, and lost my money.”

However, other TikTok users were quick to dispute her assessment of the historic city. One commented: “I spent five days in Bologna last April. Walked everywhere including St Luca. TOTALLY DISAGREE. I LOVED BOLOGNA”.

Another said: “Bologna is beautiful!” while a third quipped: “Complaining that the 2000 year old buildings look like they are 2000 years old”.

A fourth person wrote: “One of the most beautiful cities I visited!!”

Meanwhile, someone claiming to be a resident shared: “Bologna became much much worse since it became a heavily touristy city. Mass tourism is destroying my city!”

Another user countered: “I respect your opinion but in my view, [it] does not represent the reality at all. I guess [you] didn’t match with the place. Bologna is an amazing city with unique character.

“I did not find it dirty at all and it was nice and tidy. In my view, I did find Bologna more authentic in comparison to other Italian cities.”