Section: Travel:News Travel

BARCELONA is a fun city to visit, but have you heard about its cool neighbour?

El Poblenou sits just outside Barcelona in Spain but has far fewer crowds.

It was named one of the coolest neighbourhood by Time Out back in 2024.

And according to Meet Barcelona, the area is known as ‘Catalan Manchester‘ what with the industrial factories that remain.

The name emerged at the start of the 20th century, when textile factories and engineering plants filled the area and played a vital part in Barcelona‘s industrialisation.

During the 60s and 70s, the local government decided that having an industrial area so close to the city wasn’t the best and moved it further away.

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Many of the factories became empty until a revamp plan called ’22@’ revitalised the area to what it is today.

When it comes to visiting today, the trendy neighbourhood has fewer of the factories it once used to – though chimneys still litter the skyline – and instead lots of cosy cafes and vibrant tapas bars.

The neighbourhood even has its own Rambla, a pedestrian-friendly street modelled on the famous one in the Old City.

Much quieter than the one in central Barcelona, it stretches from Diagonal Mar shopping centre to Avinguda Diagonal to the seaside.

This is where you will then find Platja de la Nova Mar Bella – a popular Mediterranean beach.

The beach stretches for 420 metres and boasts golden sand.

In fact, it was revitalised for the 1992 Olympic Games and is today known for its calm, shallow waters.

If you happen to be in the neighbourhood during the first weekend of the month, then head to Palo Alto Market where you will find an array of street food as well as fashion and homeware stalls.

Spread across three galleries, the market also has outdoor stages with live music throughout the day.

There’s also Can Framis Museum, which is home to an array of Catalan artworks from the 1960s to present day.

Though it might seem morbid, you can also explore Cementiri de Poblenou, which is a sprawling cemetery with artistic tombs including a winged skeleton that is known as the ‘Kiss of Death’.

If you happen to be in the area during the first part of July, you will be able to visit La Fira del Poblenou – also known as Poblenou Craft Beer Festival – which is a three-day festival with 45 to 50 brewers, street food stalls and live music.

Ciutadella Park then sits just outside the neighbourhood, which is a park that opened back in the late 1800s and features a zoo, boating lake, museums and walking trails inside.

Flights to Barcelona cost as little as £13 each way in April.

To get from the airport to the neighbourhood, it’s a 20 minute drive or 50 minutes on public transport.

For more inspiration on trips to Spain, there’s a tiny Spanish island yet to have mass tourism that is still hot in January with 20C highs and quiet beaches.

Plus, there’s an all-inclusive Spanish island holiday resort that is 20C in winter with £30 easyJet flights.

A MAJOR airline has axed over a hundred flights from London Heathrow and Gatwick.

Qatar Airways has made big changes to its spring schedule and has cancelled 131 upcoming flights from its rota.

Qatar Airways flies from both London Heathrow and Gatwick with direct services to Qatar’s capital, Doha.

Between the months of April and June 2026, there had been 951 departures from the two London airports to Doha.

But according to the new schedule, it now has just 818 outbound flights, which is a reduction of 133 flights across the three months.

SimpleFlying found that on week starting May 1, 2026, Qatar Airways has planned for 59 weekly departures rather than 70.

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During that week at Gatwick, there will be 11 weekly departures, which is reduced from the previous double daily service at 22 flights.

That same route will continue to have 11 weekly flights throughout September.

At the same time in London Heathrow, Qatar Airways will provide 48 flights rather than 59 – a loss of 11 services.

SimplyFlying added that it’s “believed that it’ll hand slots back to British Airways”.

Qatar Airways and British Airways are part of the Oneworld alliance, meaning BA effectively serves Doha on the carrier’s behalf.

Currently, there are no changes planned to BA’s flight offering.

The route between London and the capital of Qatar takes on average six hours and 45 minutes.

Other changes Qatar Airways has made changes to its upcoming schedule. include suspending flights to Aleppo.

It will also reduce services to other destinations like Peshawar, San Francisco, Sialkot and Venice.

Qatar Airways also plans fewer London services from July to October – but this is a decrease of only two per cent.

Sun Travel has gone to Qatar Airways for comment.

For more on Qatar Airways, here’s what one Sun Travel writer made of the airline when she flew with them in business class.

The airline was even named the best for the ninth time in the Skytrax Awards last year.

WITH Heathrow Airport set to add a third runway, there are growing fears that it could increase the price of flights.

Airlines warn that the planned expansion could result in a £250 price increase for passengers on a family fare.

With the expansion set to cost £33billion, The Times has reported that airlines are “seriously worried” that Heathrow’s landing charge will increase to pay back the cost of the project for investors.

Their landing fees are already the highest in the world.

In July 2025, Heathrow Airport proposed to the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to increase airport charges to fund the expansion.

The average charge over the next five years could increase to around £33.26 per passenger, up from the current average of £28.46 per passenger.

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Now, The Times added that airline bosses have pointed out that the cost of the project would add “at least” £60-£65 to average ticket prices.

This means that the additional cost for a family of four could be as much as £250.

Officials from IAG – the parent company of British Airways, Iberia, Vueling and Aer Lingus – raised their concerns to Downing Street.

Another group called ‘Heathrow Reimagined’ have written to Rachel Reeves about the expansion.

The letter raised points that going ahead with the current model will “deliver a scheme which negatively impacts connectivity, competitiveness and the wider UK economy“.

It added that increased charges that are “already the highest in the world” would undermine the “government’s commitment to reduce the cost of living.”

The letter was signed by the boss of IAG, the chief of Virgin Atlantic and the director-general of the airline trade body International Air Transport Association (Iata).

However, a Heathrow spokeswoman told The Times: “Expansion provides a rare opportunity to drive real economic growth for the UK and deliver value for future generations of passengers.

“With demand consistently outpacing supply, incumbent airlines currently compete to charge a premium and the evidence speaks for itself: airfares at Heathrow have risen by 30 per cent in real terms since 2014, whilst the airport passenger charge has decreased by 19 per cent.”

They added that the analysis has “shown fares will be lower with expansion than without it” and said that they did not “recognise those numbers nor have we seen calculations that would support them.”

The huge expansion for the UK’s busiest airport was given the green light in November 2025.

The Heathrow proposals involve building a 3,500-metre runway which will require a new M25 tunnel and bridges to be built 130 metres west of the existing motorway.

The expansion is estimated to cost £33billion which includes building a 3,500 metre runway.

It will see Heathrow’s capacity increase to 756,000 flights and 150 million passengers per year.

The project has received government backing and is moving forward, but it has not yet received final planning approval or development consent.

Heathrow Airport is making other big changes this year…

London Heathrow will undergo a series of developments this year starting with Terminal 2 and 4…

The airport will improve the passenger experience by using AI-technology and has plans to make flights more punctual along with better baggage facilities.

 Heathrow Airport revealed it will start upgrading Terminal 4 next year costing £1.3billion.

The first step will be building a new multi-storey car park and upgrading its check-in area.

The works will be phased to ensure that there’s no disruption to the running of Terminal 4 – and these are expected to be completed in 2031.

Over in Terminal 2, Heathrow has announced that work will also begin on a new baggage system that will be able to handle 31,000 bags each day.

In order to speed up flights and improve punctuality, it will install AI-powered turnaround tech. This will involve a network of cameras being installed across Heathrow.

Using AI to analyse data, the airport will speed up turnaround times between flights, which will make journeys more punctual.

Coverage is expected to be across all terminals by the end of 2026.

KNOWING when to fly or when to book your next holiday without breaking the bank can feel like an impossible task.

However, travel experts Expedia has looked at both the data and customer research for their best flying tips for Brits heading abroad in 2026.

Included in Expedia’s 2026 Air Hacks Report is everything you need to know about travelling this year. Here’s what you need to know.

Fly on Fridays – and avoid Saturdays

Friday has become the cheapest day of the week to fly.

Compared to travelling on a Saturday, jetting off the day before can save up to 18 per cent.

But be warned that Friday is also the busiest  day to fly – with Tuesdays being the least busy.

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As for what day you’ll find the find the cheapest deals this is likely to be a Sunday – but Expedia adds that “flying on lower‑demand days unlocks bigger savings.”

Fly in June – and avoid December

The most affordable month to fly is June with flights 68 per cent cheaper on average than December – the most expensive month.

This saves holidaymakers roughly £250 per ticket. 

Yet this changes depending on where you are flying.

If you’re hopping on a domestic flight then the cheapest month to book is January – with the most expensive being the height of summer in August.

Risk-takers might think that the closer you get to your holiday, the better deal you’ll get on flights – and you’d be right.

Book 30 days ahead – not six months

Expedia found that international travellers can save £93 on average by booking between 15 and 30 days ahead, instead of six months out.

For those who don’t want to leave it until the last minute, booking 31 – 45 days out can still save £85  compared to booking six months out. 

Fly from Bournemouth and Belfast – and avoid Manchester and Heathrow

When it comes to actually flying, the choice of airport also makes a difference.

The most expensive UK airports to fly from are London Heathrow, Humberside and Manchester

Meanwhile, Belfast, Liverpool and Bournemouth are the most affordable UK departure airports.

Some destinations are seeing prices drop up to 67 per cent year-on-year too.

So if you head to Gdansk, Cork or Bordeaux, so you’re likely to get a good, cheap deal.

And lastly, while it might not save money – this hack may save you time.

Obviously some of the busiest times to travel are during summer, but other dates that see more travellers are October 24 and 25 and May 24, being near school holidays.

The quietest days based on bookings are March 4, 5 and 9 and December 31.

For more savings – here how one holidaymaker travelled to 41 countries and used a simple hotel trick to save her family hundreds.

And here’s 50 money-saving tips you NEED to know before booking your next holiday – from 5* hotel hacks to free tours and cheap booze.

A BUDGET hotel chain with self-serve bars and private pod rooms is looking to open in the UK.

There’s talk of the brand, LyLo, opening several sites across the country, and it has its sights set on Southwark in London.

Hotels in the city, and across most of the UK can be expensive – but if it opens in the UK LyLo is set to be very affordable.

Its ethos is ‘lower prices and higher comfort at the centre of everything’.

If priced like they are in Australia and New Zealand, a stay in a pod could cost as little as £20.24 (AUD$39).

LyLo promises fuss-free check-in, on-site drinks and eats, WiFi, workspaces, and spaces to play encouraging guests to socialise with various events.

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Some of current pod hotels even have rooftop spots where guests are welcome to relax and play games.

LyLo also holds events like welcome drinks, pop-up dinners, local tours, surprise gigs, wellness activities and film screenings.

Some of the LyLo hotels like the ones in New Zealand’s Queenstown and Australia’s Brisbane, even have their own self-pour cocktail and beer wall.

Guests have to show ID to the bar manager, load up their hotel card, then tap and pour – when the balance runs low, just top up and carry on.

Visitors can help themselves to lager, beer, cider and even cocktails like espresso martinis on tap.

For those who need some peace and quiet for work, the hotel also offers a range of ‘quiet spaces’.

Each hotel has a kitchen fully kitted out with ovens, microwaves, fridges, freezers and plenty of cutlery.

At the current sites, guests can either stay in self-contained pods or private rooms.

Visitors can rent out a self-contained pod with a king size mattress, USB charging port and WiFi.

These pods are within a shared room which can sleep up to 10 guests – so each cabin comes with its own privacy screen.

There’s also the option for a female-only space.

Guests can also opt for a private room, or an ensuite room which comes with private bathroom facilities.

If travelling with a number of travellers, there’s also an option to book out a full room of pods for one large group.

LyLo managing director Tim Alpe said: “We are thrilled to introduce LyLo to Europe, with London as the perfect city to launch our first property.

“Our innovative pod hotel concept has already proven successful in New Zealand and Australia, and we are confident that the European market will embrace our unique blend of affordability and community-focused design.

“London’s dynamic and diverse traveller base makes it an ideal location to begin this exciting new chapter, and we look forward to bringing LyLo’s fresh approach to hospitality to the city.”

The brand currently operates 608 pods across New Zealand and Australia.

Here’s another cheap pod hotel that’s already opened in London…

Travel Writer Helen Wright recently spent the night in London’s newest pod hotel – Zedwell – here’s how it went…

“Zedwell is one of the city’s newest hotels to open, right in the middle of Piccadilly Circus. Being so central, you can normally expect hotels to have high prices – the nearby Ritz and the W Hotel can command nightly rates of £500 or more.

“Not Zedwell – the new hotel claims to be the world’s biggest capsule hotel, and with that, comes the small price of just £30 a night. That definitely makes it the cheapest hotel room in the city (unless you want to bunk up in an 18-bed dorm).

“Inside, decked out with a modern concrete and timber design, there are nearly 1,000 individual sleep capsules over five floors. Guests use an iPad to self-check in, before being directed to one of the correct floor and room.

“Each dorm needs a key card to access, too, so you can only enter the dorm you are assigned, which definitely makes it feel secure. It’s a twist on the traditional ‘dorm style’ hostel set up as each guest gets privacy and security of being tucked up in your capsule, with the ability to lock it from the inside. 

“Inside, I was surprised to find a cute little space, with mood lighting and welcoming interiors. Each capsule is made from oak and come with a single Hypnos mattress, Egyptian cotton bedding, individual mini aircon or heat, smart climate control, noise reduction, and ambient lighting.

“There is also a plug socket inside, two USB plugs and a mirror.  Make sure to bring your own padlock too, so you can lock your pod if you plan on going out (although reception let you buy them on-site as well).

“There are clean common areas, which felt more adult then teen-backpacker, which includes a lounge and co-working space. I was impressed with how clean the communal bathroom and toilet area as well, with light jazz music playing overhead.”

For more budget hotels that are currently open in the UK, check out the new 532-room that’s just opened in one of the priciest tourist destinations.

And one writer reveals how she takes her family on city breaks all over the UK – and stays at this budget accommodation for just £6 each night.

A HUGE new holiday resort is set to open in the Cotswolds – and it will be the third of its kind in the UK.

It will have beautiful luxury cabins, a relaxing nature spa as well as indoor and outdoor swimming pools.

Cabu, which designs eco-cabins, is set to open its third site in the Cotswolds after it secured a £24million loan to build the resort.

The site will have 51 self-catered cabins with either one, two or three bedrooms.

The new range of “ultra cool timber cabins” have been revealed in the renders to have wooden panels and green window detail. 

On the map render, the 51 cabins surround the main building which will have additional amenities inside.

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Guests will be able to use all of them, which include a nature spa, hot tubs, saunas and plunge bucket.

There will be an indoor swimming pool too, which looks like a calming space surrounded by loungers and huge windows letting in plenty of natural light.

There will be an outdoor pool too as well as a shop, restaurant, two bars and a studio events space.

On its website Cabu said it “will offer their high quality short-term stays all year round.  We are aiming to provide guests with 2, 3 or 4 night stays.”

It will also have “low adrenalin activities and provide an excellent base to discover all the Cotswolds have to offer.”

The resort will open in Langley on the site of a former Marconi radio site which is a short distance from popular villages like Bourton-on-the-Water, Stow-on-the-Wold and Burford.

Cabu already has two sites in operation – Cabu Sea in Kent and Cabu by the Lakes in County Cavan, Ireland.

Cabu by the Sea lies on a stretch of privately owned grassland next to the seafront between Romney Marsh and the English Channel.

The one in Kent is described as an intimate retreat with easy access to the coastline.

A variety of luxury accommodations are available, ranging from a Writers Studio cabin for couples to a three-bed Boat House perfect for families.

The price for a cabin in Cabu by the Sea starts from £395 for two people (based on a two-night stay in March).

Meanwhile, Cabu by the Lakes is found deep within the woods of Killykeen Forest Park in Co. Cavan.

This unique hideaway has log cabins and lake houses – it also has a nature spa with a forest bathing area and a Japanese Bath.

The price for a cabin in Cabu by the Lakes starts from £544.18 for two people (based on a two-night stay in March).

Plus, here’s the tiny Cotswolds villages where you might bump into a celebrity with quaint pubs and famous farm shops.

And hear from one Sun Writer who grew up in the Cotswolds and reveals their favourite village with old-school sweet shops and riverside games.

A MASSIVE expansion of the UK’s biggest train station has finally been given the green light after years of controversy.

London Liverpool Street Station welcomes nearly as many as 100million passengers a year.

However, for years there have been plans to upgrade some of the station’s dated features as well as make it larger after record passenger numbers.

And the City of London Corporation has now approved plans for the redevelopment of Liverpool Street Station.

It confirmed that it would “improve central London’s connectivity to the rest of the country [and] make the local area a much more enjoyable place to visit, work in and travel through.”

The new plans – predicted to cost £1.2billion – include more shops and cafes, as well as better pedestrian and cycle paths and parks.

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More office spaces will be part of a new 318ft tower block being built over the main concourse.

Upgraded facilities such as more ticket barriers, lifts, escalators and toilets, and wider train platforms, are also part of the plans.

It hopes it will eventually double in capacity, with up to 200million passengers.

It won’t be anytime soon, however – works could start by 2029, and be finished by 2036.

Chairman of the City of London Corporation Planning and Transportation Committee, Tom Sleigh, said: “Everyone likes an upgrade, and this astonishing improvement to Britain’s busiest train station is just that; a major improvement by every measure.

“The soaring Brick arches and bold architecture will cement Liverpool Street’s status as a modern temple to transport.”

Policy Chairman of the City of London Corporation, Chris Hayward, added: “This redevelopment of Liverpool Street station is a major step forward for the Square Mile.”

If the proposals go ahead, work would start at the beginning of 2029 and last seven years, with the new station completed by mid-2036.

The long-discussed plans have caused controversy in the past, with previous plans even including a rooftop pool although this has now been scrapped.

And there are fears that the upgrade works could cause a “decade of chaos” due to closed platforms.

This would affect passengers travelling to airports like London Stansted, as well as those using the Elizabeth Line.

London Liverpool Street Station is the UK’s busiest, recording a record 98million passengers from 2024/25.

In second is London Waterloo, which has nearly 28million fewer passengers.

It’s not the only huge train station expanding – London St Pancras plans to double passenger numbers to 60million.

The station is home to the Eurostar, and will eventually welcome Virgin’s European trains when they launch as well.

And here’s a large train station in the UK that was inspired by Italy – and has been named one of the best.

MORE than 86,000 holiday rentals have been removed from a region in Spain as the crackdown continues.

Last year, the Spanish government said they would suspending licenses for accommodation that breaches regulation rules.

This includes not having an official license number, or no information on the owner.

The region of Andalucia has since taken down 13,037 holiday listings following these new rules, local media reports.

Nearly 5,000 of these affect the province of Malaga, which saw the highest number of removals.

The region of Valencia has removed another 14,387, followed by the Canaries (13,726) and Catalonia (13,350)

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Last year, Catalonia removed more than 9,000 Airbnbs from being listed.

This affected cities such as Barcelona, Reus and Tarragona.

And Madrid said that another 5,000 rentals also breached the regulations and were removed.

Despite this, it is thought there are still thousands of properties that are breaking the rules.

Another 53,000 properties could be removed from private property companies, and go back on the rental market.

Until then, Brits are still able to book a holiday rental but should check if they follow the guidelines.

Otherwise hotels and resorts are unaffected by the rules.

The Sun’s Head of Travel Lisa Minot explained it could have a “big impact on Brits looking to book a holiday rental this summer“.

She added: “If you have booked a short term rental via Airbnb or any other booking service like Booking.com this summer, then the first thing you should do is check the rental has been registered correctly. It should be clearly displayed on the listing.”

It’s also not the only tourist crackdown in Spain.

Malaga is banning any new holiday rentals for the next three years.

Barcelona announced a full ban in holiday apartments by November 2028.

And Seville now only allows 10 per cent of homes in each neighbourhood to be Airbnbs.

PREMIER Inn has opened a new hotel in London – although you wouldn’t know from the outside.

The hub by Premier Inn London Farringdon (Old Bailey) has turned an old Victorian police station into the famous hotel.

Dating back to the 1870s, Snow Hill Police Station is a Garde II listed building.

Whitbread – the owner of Premier Inn, bought the building back in 2020, with it now open to the public as a hotel.

Many of the original features such as the historic entrance way, as well as a grand atrium combining the new and old buildings.

A mix of “heritage bedrooms” as well as the classic hub rooms are part of the hotel too, with 212 rooms across eight stories.

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Along with free WiFi and accessible rooms, there is also a restaurant onsite for breakfast and dinner.

Jonathan Langdon, Senior Acquisition Manager for Whitbread, said it showed how “affordable hotels like hub by Premier Inn can breathe fresh life into vacant historic buildings in Central London”

Tom Sleigh, Chairman of the Planning and Transportation Committee at the City of London Corporation, added: “The transformation of the former Snow Hill Police Station into a modern, affordable hotel shows how heritage and planning innovation can work hand in hand, an excellent example of how thoughtful, high-quality design can bring new life to one of the City’s historic buildings.”

Some of the cheapest rooms on the website can be found for around £105 a night.

The hotel is also in the hear of the city, bring right by Farringdon train station.

Nearby is St Paul’s Cathedral as well as the London Museum.

Premier Inn is currently offering free unlimited breakfast to guests, as long as you book before February 13.

Guests must also book a ‘Non-Flex’ room for a stay between February 20 and May 14.

Wetherspoons is another budget brand known for restoring old buildings.

Many of the UK pubs are built into old cinemas, banks and town halls, with original features often restored.

Of course, some of them are newer, purpose bult buildings – including their newest which is in Spain.

We went down to the first foreign Wetherspoons – here’s what we thought.

FAR away from the Venice of Europe, is the ‘Venice of the desert’ with highs of 25C in February.

The Pearl Doha in Qatar is an artificial island that boasts homes, tourist spots and sandy beaches.

Construction started way back in 2004, with the first residents being welcomed in 2009 and today, the island features a variety of different neighbourhoods, each with their own identity.

The island, which has just under 20 miles of coastline. features 10 districts including the Qanat Quartier, which is often dubbed as the ‘Venice of the desert’ thanks to its canals and pastel-coloured buildings.

Visitors can head on boat rides to discover the pretty canals and a number of arched bridges, like the replica of the Rialto Bridge.

Another tourist-favourite is the Piano Stairs, where you can jump on different stairs to make musical notes.

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Or for some proper fun and games head to Megapolis, where you will find virtual reality games, karaoke, bowling and racing simulators.

One recent visitor said: “Qanat Quartier is one of the most beautiful and unique places I’ve visited in Qatar.

“The colorful buildings, quiet canals, and charming bridges give you the feeling of walking through a mini Venice right in the heart of Doha.

“The area is peaceful and perfect for a relaxing walk, especially in the evening when the lights reflect on the water.”

equally popular is the Abraj Quartier, which is known as the gateway to The Pearl Island.

This neighbourhood is home to two towers offering panoramic sea views.

In the Porto Arabia neighbourhood, there is an open-air shopping area that has a French Riviera lifestyle feel.

The shopping area also overlooks Qatar‘s largest and award-winning marina, which is the ideal place to catch a glimpse of the many luxury yachts moored up.

Along the colourful waterfront, known as La Croisette (just like in Cannes), there is a two-mile promenade where more shops and restaurants can be found.

It is also in Porto Arabia where you will find the Four Seasons Resort and Residences.

The resort features a spa, private beach, two outdoor infinity pools, an indoor lap pool and a kid’s area.

There are plenty of beaches to chose from on The Pearl, with one popular option being Bahriya Beach.

One recent visitor said: “[It] has pristine sandy shores, perfect for lounging and swimming.

“A must visit when in Qatar.”

Another visitor added: “Soft sand that is raked every day to make sure it is well kept and flat.

“The water is also Lovely and no jet ski’s or boat allowed close by so very safe for swimmers and children.

“Great for paddle boarding or canoeing.”

On the beach is also Plt Cafe, where you can grab a flat white for 21 Qatari Riyal (£4.23).

The cafe also serves an array of sandwiches for around 30 Qatari Riyal (£6.04).

The cafe is noted by visitors as having a “wonderful atmosphere” perfect for “short, cosy visits” with views across the beach.

Right next to The Pearl, is Gewan Island, where visitors can explore the Crystal Walk, which is Qatar’s longest climatised outdoor walkway with a temperature of around 22C year-round.

As you walk along the 450-metre walkway, 45 crystal structures light-up.

When you are out and about looking for a bite to eat, you can expect to pay around 300 Qatari Riyal (£60.36) for a mid-range three-course meal for two.

You may have to stick to soft drinks though, as alcohol is only allowed for non-Muslims at licensed hotel bars and restaurants.

Hotel prices vary in Doha depending on the area of the city you stay but, for example, you can find a Premier Inn for £31 a night or stay at the five-star Andaz Doha by Hyatt for £66 a night.

Return flights from London to Doha in April cost from £468, alternatively you could fly from Birmingham from £531, Edinburgh from £608 or Manchester from £615.

If you want to head to the real Venice in Italy, one reporter who recently visited said that the Italian city is better in winter with wine bar tours and Miami-like hotels.

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FORGET everything you thought you knew about spas, this one is unlike any other – it doesn’t have white walls and you don’t have to silently tiptoe from the sauna to the hot tub.

At Ffolkes you can natter as much as you like, indulge in cocktails from the comfort of a giant hot tub all under the glow of neon lights and a disco ball.

Inside the Norfolk spa are 12 thermal spa experiences across four zones called Ibiza, Sauna, Steam and Cold – and Ffolkes suggests visitors start in ‘Ibiza‘.

The party island-themed zone has a giant hot tub with a bar right beside it, so you can order drinks without leaving the water.

It has everything you could want from beer to wine, bubbles, margaritas, mojitos, winter sangria and non-alcoholic options.

On the outskirts of the tub are heated loungers and foot spas.

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For those who want the quieter spa experience – head to Soft Play which has double loungers, bean bags, a swing and infrared heaters.

When you want to heat up, check out the three saunas – each with its own mood and scent.

The Global Sauna is the spa’s biggest and is where visitors can try a ritual and guided sessions.

The Salt Sauna is filled with the scent of sea fennel, lavender and lemon. 

And the Herbal Sauna infuses heat with botanical smells.

There’s one Aroma steam room which is infused with essential oils and the other is Eucalyptus, a calming spot where you can really clear your head.

To cool off, head to the cold plunge pool which sits between 10-12C.

Visitors can then chill off even more in the mist shower and the ice fountain.

A visit to the spa wouldn’t be complete without a treatment and here, there are many options from Indian Head Massage to facials and scrubs.

All that relaxing is hungry work – and Ffolkes offers lots of food from brunch to quirky afternoon tea.

In the mornings, tuck into full English breakfasts, pancakes, fruit salads and cinnamon rolls.

It also offers a unique afternoon tea with chocolate chip scones and homemade chocolate spread, cheeseburger sausage rolls, Korean BBQ bao buns (from £30pp).

There’s a choice of Indian food every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday evening from butter curries to coconut dahl and flatbreads.

If there’s room for dessert, tuck into a s’mores dip sharer, apple pie or even a cookie dough baked cheesecake.

The spa even has a 9-hole crazy golf course with loop-de-loops and a golf ball vortex – all inside shipping containers.

The spa with a difference in King’s Lynn opened in September 2025 and you can book in for a relaxation session.

Spa sessions start from £65 with the three-hour Twilight experience where guests have access to 12 thermal spa experiences.

It includes unlimited tea and coffee and pick ‘n’ Mix nibbles whilst in the spa.

Half-day sessions either in the morning or afternoon start from £95 which has additional post-spa food in the pub.

This is either Afternoon Street Tea (Monday–Saturday) or Pie FEAST (Sundays).

Morning or afternoon half-day spa with treatment start from £150pp which includes a 45-minute treatment.

The spa offers overnight stays for those who want to relax for more than one day which starts from £300 per night.

The brightly decorated rooms have huge beds and some even have outdoor baths in the courtyard.

The most luxe is the Spa Cabin which has a private hot tub, wood burner, sauna and outdoor shower.

For more on spas, this Bridgerton-like countryside hotel has a beautiful spa, gardens and restaurant.

And this dreamy English staycation with infinity pools, pic ‘n’ mix pantries and new spa gardens.

LNER has revealed its new fleet of trains in first-look images – and they’ve got perks for every customer.

The upgraded carriages will have water refill stations throughout the trains and in First Class even mood lighting and reclining seats.

LNER, which operates trains across the East Coast Main Line, has revealed what its new fleet of Class 897 trains will look like.

The latest upgrades include “improved seating” across all classes with enhanced seat pads, side bolsters and wider head cushions .

One huge perk for all customers, especially those on a long journey, is that they’ll will be able to stay hydrated for free, thanks to the introduction of five water bottle refill stations throughout the train.

Travellers won’t have to pop to the cafe to buy a bottle of water – instead, just top up as you go.

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The only other train line that offers complimentary water with refill stations is Avanti West Coast on its Pendolino and Evero trains.

Also onboard the new LNER trains will be new digital screens in each carriage so customers can keep an eye on their journey and the upcoming stops.

Each seat will have its own plug socket and USB-C ports too for phone charging.

For Standard Class customers, there will be a new and improved Café Bar.

Here, you can pick up snacks and drinks and can see what’s available in real-time on digital menu screens.

Those sitting in First Class can fully relax in seats that actually recline.

There will also be softer lighting, including mood and table lighting in First Class – so the lights won’t be too bright for those travelling during early mornings and evenings.

Other changes include the redesign of bike storage areas and toilets.

For wheelchair users, tables have been redesigned to make more room with seat legs moved and additional space created for assistance dogs.

The 10-carriage trains called ‘Serenza’, will each have a total of 569 seats across Standard and First Class, alongside wheelchair spaces.

No date for introduction of the Class 897s has been announced yet.

But the new fleet is set to replace LNER’s InterCity 225 fleet, which focuses on services between London King’s Cross and destinations like Leeds, York, Bradford Forster Square, and Skipton.

For more on rail upgrades, UK’s busiest train station faces ‘decade of chaos’ ahead of multi-million pound renovation.

And here’s the UK’s ‘best rural train station’ – next to the seaside-themed town that is MILES from the coast.

FANCY a mini-break but don’t want to spend too much money? Well, how about a short cruise to Europe for the same price as a meal at Pizza Express for a family of four.

Travellers can head off on a two-night cruise between Hull and the Netherlands.

The P&O Ferries mini cruise allows you to travel overnight, usually leaving Hull at around 8:30pm and arriving in the Netherlands around 8:45am.

You can opt between heading to Rotterdam or Amsterdam on a return sailing from Hull to Europoort, with two nights in an en suite cabin, return coach transfers into the city centres and the live entertainment on board.

In between you will also get to explore either Rotterdam or Amsterdam – all for just £65 per person.

For example, one £65pp sailing heads off on March 3 and returns on March 5.

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Included in the price you pay is a two-bunk cabin with an en suite shower room with a WC.

Towels and bed linen are included too.

There are of course add-ons, if you wish to include them – such as the kitchen dinner for £25 per person, which is a buffet of international dishes.

If you fancy breakfast on board, that will set you back £13.50 each too.

Or you could get a package for both dinner and breakfast for £35.95 per person.

Though it is worth baring in mind, these prices are all per way.

Coach transfers from the port to either Rotterdam or Amsterdam are listed as £12 per person, per way – though they are included in the £65 per person price.

The cities of Amsterdam and Rotterdam in the Netherlands are both great to explore for a day.

In Rotterdam, you can head to one of the maritime museums to learn about its history as a port city.

Then, you could swing by the Cube Houses, known for their unusual architecture.

Opposite the Cube Houses you will find Markthal, which is a large market hall home to around 96 food stalls.

Alternatively, if you choose to head to Amsterdam you can explore the intricate network of canals that sprawl across the city.

One of the most popular tourist spots in the city is the Anne Frank House, which is a museum inside the actual house where Anne Frank hid during World War II.

To explore the canals further, you can also hop on a canal tour via boat.

If you fancy an even more memorable sailing you can head on a Mini Cruise Live.

These cruises have different entertainment onboard, often including celebrities.

For example, you could head on a Noughties Takeover cruise from February 27 to March 1.

On board, the entertainment includes JLS star Marvin Humes and Blazin’ Squad star and former Love Islander, Marcel Somerville.

This sailing costs from £139 per person.

With the family? Then head on the Family Cruise from April 8 to 10, with K-Pop Live and Cirque: The Greatest Show – a circus-musical experience with songs from The Greatest Showman, La La Land, Rocketman and Moulin Rouge.

There will also be face painters on board, and tickets to this sailing also cost from £139 per person.

Fancy something a little different? Head on the Murder Mystery Mini Cruise from March 4 to 6.

On board, passengers will get to enjoy two murder mystery experiences with Cheeky Blinders on night one and 1925-based mystery The Maiden Voyage on night two.

This sailing costs from £99 per person.

In other cruise news, the ‘affordable luxury’ Nordic cruise where temperatures hit 28C.

Plus, our pick of the eight best cruises for both hot and cold weather – from Caribbean sailings to Icelandic glacier tours.

IF you’re sick of waiting on busy railway station platforms, then you might want to head to one of the world’s quietest.

Seiryu Miharashi Station in Japan is often called the world’s loneliest train stations, being completely secluded from nearby towns and villages.

Built in 2019, it cost around 112 million yen (£533,000) at the time.

The station has no entrances or exits, so the only way to get to the station is by train.

But don’t expect any scheduled services, or even any commuter trains.

Trains only stop there on request, as there is nothing else nearby such as houses or roads.

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In fact, the station was only built to be a viewing platform stop, as it overlooks the Nishiki River.

Despite predictions of up nearly 5,000 passengers a year, as few as 1,000 make the visit there – work out to fewer than three a day.

If you want to see it for yourself, there is a special sightseeing train that runs once a month.

This has to be reserved in advance, with a minimum of 15 passengers for the service to run.

Tickets cost 5,000 yen (£24) for adults and 4,000 yen (£20) for kids, and includes round trip train tickets and a bento lunch box.

Pay an extra 1,000 yen (£4.80) for an upgraded snack box which includes sake or specially made sweets.

Otherwise other regular trains on the Nishikigawa Seiryū Line run through the station, but do not stop.

When it comes to lonely stations in the UK, there is one that has jut 68 passengers a day.

Elton and Orston station, Lincolnshire, on the East Midlands Railway, network was named one of the least used stations in the UK in 2024.

Otherwise there is also Denton in Greater Manchester, which has just one train service a week on Saturday morning called the Denton Flyer.

Here are the world’s most beautiful train stations.

And a new train station is set to be the world’s biggest – costing £5.82billion with 16,000 passengers every hour.

IF you prefer the soft sand under your feet on a beach then you’re in luck as there is a new one in the UK.

Birling Gap beach, near Eastbourne, has turned from a pebble beach into a sandy beach overnight.

The extreme weather caused by the winter storms sweeping the UK is thought to be behind the unusual change.

Along with sand being pulled in my the storms, it was believed the rocks on the beach were then pulled out to sea.

The National Trust explained: “The action of strong waves during storms and high tides can reveal sandy patches on the beach, which are usually covered by flint pebbles at other times of the year.

“This year has seen a higher than usual amount of sand appearing.

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Locals have raved about their ‘new’ beach.

Local Mary Sievwright told the BBC the beach was now “beautiful”.

She added: “It would have been great fun when I was a kid because we all had to scramble over pebbles the whole time.

“Whereas 1769660425 you’ve got loads of nice places to put your towel down and sit with your family.”

Another local said; “I’ve never seen sand there – and I have lived here for nearly 29 years!”

However, don’t expect it to be for good as it was “not a regular occurrence”.

A National Trust spokesperson said which the beach was “known for seasonal changes,” this is unlikely to last so people should “enjoy it while they can”.

Beachgoers are currently advised to stay away from the beach after two families were rescued, following access steps were damage to the steps caused by a cliff gall.

The National Trust currently states: “There is no beach access until further notice.”

A number of beaches in the UK face being lost for good due to erosion.

Blackpool is investing £30milllion across their coastline in beach defences in a bid to preserve the sands.

Holderness Coast in East Riding of Yorkshire, is currently reporting some of the highest rates of erosion in Europe, losing up to 12 metres a year.

And here is a secluded beach in the UK you can now only get to by boat.

FORGET everything you know about holiday parks – as a new age of caravans could change them entirely.

Caravan holidays have been a popular, and low cost, alternative to holidays abroad, for the last 100 years.

Yet new designs could change the design of them, with many having not changed in decades.

Welsh designer Craig Ledwards has revealed his own creations, likening to them a luxury hotel room instead.

He told local media: “Caravans haven’t changed over the past 70 years.

“They’re exactly the same style as they’ve always been – no insulation so there’s always condensation in it, smell damp, and the layout is the same.

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“But this is totally different, it’s open-plan living. It feels like you’re entering a luxury hotel room.”

Like hotels, guests can access them using key cards which are then slotted in for the electricity.

Inside are marble bathrooms and projectors in the ceiling, as well as full glass walls.

Small balconies are also part of the outdoor space, as well as a rooftop window for stargazing while inside.

He has already introduced them to north Wales last year.

He added: “It’s as far away from a static caravan as you can get – the only thing that’s the same is the size, we’ve designed it to be the same size so it can replace an old one without having to change the footprint or service connections.”

Each one, costing around £35,000 to build, is fully insulated so they can be stayed in all year round.

Not only that, but he says they have a lifespan of 50 years – much longer than standard caravans which is between 15 and 20 years.

They have been met with some skepticism, however.

Some have said that the all-glass models may not retain heat during the colder months, even if well insulated.

And a National Caravan Council spokesperson said: “New designs such as ones imported from China may appeal to a niche audience, drawn to contemporary styling and different layouts,” they said.

“But widespread appeal will depend on how well they meet the expectations of the UK holiday park market, the access to spare parts, the availability of reliable and timely after-sales service and those who are responsible for licensing their use.”

Here’s what it’s like inside the world’s most expensive caravan.

And here’s another futuristic caravan with self-driving tech.

SWANSEA is getting a massive revamp and new plans for its ‘waterfront district’ have now been revealed.

Renders show off what the Swansea Civic Centre area could look like in a matter of years with plans for a saltwater lido and even a pier.

Plans created by Urban Splash, a regeneration company, include the addition of new waterfront cafes, bars, beach sports shops and even what appears to be a new pier.

Other attractions will be an aquarium and a new saltwater lido – which will be a first for the city.

The plans have been developed by Urban Splash which was appointed by Swansea Council as part of a 20‑year regeneration partnership covering key sites around the city.

The company has described the ‘waterfront district’ as being a place “where the city truly meets the beach”.

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Cllr Rob Stewart, Swansea Council Leader, said: “These emerging proposals for the Civic Centre mark another important chapter in Swansea’s ongoing regeneration story.

“This site has the potential to become a vibrant new focal point on our waterfront, bringing together homes, leisure, culture and public spaces in a way that complements the huge investment already transforming our city.

“By reimagining how this area can be used, we can support local jobs, boost our economy and create new opportunities for residents and visitors.

The plans are not final and have been released ahead of a public consultation at the end of the month where residents will get a chance to give feedback.

Other areas around the city set to be regenerated by Urban Splash include the Hafod Copperworks and Porth Copr.

Urban Splash initiatives, including the unveiling last autumn, of plans for a riverside site in St Thomas.

In autumn, the company revealed its plans for the riverside site in St Thomas where it plans to build a six-storey building, as well as a central green street, shared gardens and improved river walkways.

The waterfront area of Swansea isn’t the only part of the city getting a new look as revamped Castle Square is expected to be completed by late 2026.

Work began in summer 2025 to transform the square with much more usable public space along with new cafes with shaded areas for families.

There will be new water jets with mini-fountains from the paved area which will take the place of the popular water features.

On another level is a viewing platform across the square, along with a large screen showing live sporting events.

Below will be a bandstand-style stage with a large screen for public events, new seating areas and upgraded paving.

These works form a wider part of the regeneration project in Swansea costing £1billion.

For more upgrades, here are the English seaside towns and cities getting multi-million pound upgrades next year – with new rides and attractions.

Plus, this town in the UK is getting a huge new beachfront attraction costing £100million – and work has finally started.