spain

A British holidaymaker has shared his experience of a trip to Benidorm, saying it was ‘everything you expect and more’ after spotting one sight out of his hotel window

Benidorm is recognised as a beloved holiday destination among Brits. In fact, roughly 800,000 to 900,000 Britons flock to the Spanish resort annually, establishing them as the largest international tourist group in the city. The coastal city on Spain’s Costa Blanca is known as the “Spanish Las Vegas” for its countless bars, clubs, and cabaret venues, especially clustered around the Levante district and Calle Gerona.

Benidorm attracts an incredibly varied clientele that changes considerably depending on the season and the particular area of the city. While it is famously a magnet for British “sun and sea” tourists, it is equally a prime destination for Spanish nationals and pensioners.

Holidaymaker Mattie Powell, from North Wales, recently detailed his experience of a Benidorm getaway, describing it as ‘everything you expect and more’ when he glanced out of his hotel window.

Mattie posted to his Instagram page a video showing a “traffic jam of mobility scooters” along a Benidorm path.

He captioned it: “Traffic jam of mobility scooters was not on my 2026 bingo card.”

Those who use mobility scooters are known to regularly head to Benidorm because the resort is remarkably flat and accessible, especially along its extensive beachfront promenades. This renders it an unusual holiday destination where people with limited mobility can move about independently for miles.

Numerous people were loving by the video, as it accumulated over 105,000 likes.

One person joked: “City’s safe in their hands.”

While another user quipped: “Might go there and do some British spotting.”

The post follows a recent visit to Benidorm by an American tourist who found himself baffled by one thing.

Travel enthusiast Kalani, from the US, revealed he was repeatedly quizzed about someone called ‘Charlie’ during his stay.

“I need someone to tell me about who Charlie is,” Kalani said, recounting how numerous people had approached him offering ‘Charlie’ after a night out on the Strip. It didn’t take long for his followers to set him straight, explaining that Charlie is a widely-used slang term for cocaine.

Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has described the five permanent members of the UN Security Council as “Lords of War.” He called on them to stop acting like “emperors” and waging war on poorer countries.

Jet2 holidays to Spain just got even easier for Brits to plan as the holiday giant has announced exciting news ahead of the summer 2026 holidays

Jet2 has made it easier for Brits to plan Spain holidays this summer, as the travel giant is expanding its range of Eurocamp packages to the holiday hotspot. This means families booking a package holiday through Jet2 can now choose one of Eurocamp’s mobile homes or other accommodation for their break.

Jet2holidays previously offered Eurocamp packages in France, Croatia, and Italy, and has now added parks to Costa Brava , bringing the total number up to 54. Holidaymakers can book a Eurocamp package holiday online, and can filter results by selecting ‘Holiday Parks’.

While you can simply book accommodation directly with Eurocamp, a package holiday can come with perks; for example, with Jet2 your deal includes return flights, 22kg of checked and 10kg of hold luggage, ATOL protection, and car hire. The packages include the cost of bed linen, towels and and end-of-stay clean in most Eurocamps, as well as access to the entertainment and facilities on-site.

Eurocamp parks offer facilities such as restaurants, bars, and takeaways on site, and many offer daytime and evening entertainment during peak times, including the ever-popular minidiscos. Some parks in Costa Brava also have direct access to the beach where you can truly soak up the Spanish sunshine and take a cooling dip in the sea.

Its selection of Spanish parks include Castell Montgri, which sits between a lush green pine forest and a rugged stretch of the coast. Castell Montgri has four outdoor pools, including one with slides and kids areas, and there are four restaurants, a snack bar, and a pool bar. Enmar is another option close to the lively town of Enmar. The sandy beach is just 100 metres away, and there’s a large pool with a wildlife theme and slides.

Guests who stay on the Costa Brava can also take a day trip to Barcelona for some sightseeing, culture, and more. Explore the iconic Sagrada Família that dominates the skyline, or the unique Casa Batlló with its colourful Gaudi architecture. Wander around the historic La Boqueria market to try locally made foods or book a tour of Camp Nou and stand in the same spot as so many football legends.

In addition to Eurocamp, the Costa Brava has a range of other family-friendly accommodation such as Yelloh! Villages, which offer a similar style of mobile home holiday, pools, and entertainment. Another option is to go all inclusive, as some families find this easier to budget than a self-catering break. Package providers such as TUI offer a range of Costa Brava holidays from simple and friendly to luxury hotel options, so there’s something for all styles of holidaymaker.

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

easyJet issued an ‘important update’ earlier this month

easyJet has issued an alert to passengers travelling to more than 100 destinations with the airline after a major rule change that has come in post-Brexit.

In an “important update” issued earlier this month, easyJet warned queue times may be affected and said: “Airports across Europe may experience longer queues at passport control whilst the new European Entry/Exit System (EES) border checks are being completed. This will mean you may need to have your biometrics taken including your face and fingerprints scanned.”

Passengers are advised to plan travel to and through the airport, factoring in that they may have to queue for longer than previously. Anyone who needs to use Bag Drop should do so as soon as it opens, and travellers should make sure they have all necessary documents to hand.

easyJet is also urging people to go through security as early as possible and to head to the gate or boarding area as soon as it is announced. The travel operator further said there may be additional checks at passport control before your gate and added: “You may experience longer queues in your arrival airport”.

Full list of easyJet destinations under the new EES

• Ajaccio, Corsica (AJA) – France
• Akureyri (AEY) – Iceland
• Alicante (ALC) – Spain
• Almeria (LEI) – Spain
• Amsterdam (AMS) – Netherlands
• Athens (ATH) – Greece
• Barcelona (BCN) – Spain
• Bari (BRI) – Italy
• Basel (BSL) – Switzerland
• Bastia, Corsica (BIA) – France
• Berlin Brandenburg (BER) – Germany
• Biarritz (BIQ) – France
• Bilbao (BIO) – Spain
• Bordeaux (BOD) – France
• Brest Brittany (BES) – France
• Brindisi (BDS) – Italy
• Brussels Intl (BRU) – Belgium
• Budapest (BUD) – Hungary
• Burgas (BOJ) – Bulgaria
• Calvi, Corsica (CLY) – France
• Copenhagen (CPH) – Denmark
• Corfu (CFU) – Greece
• Costiera Amalfitana Salerno, Naples (QSR) – Italy
• Crete Chania (CHQ) – Greece
• Crete Heraklion (HER) – Greece
• Dubrovnik (DBV) – Croatia
• Dusseldorf (DUS) – Germany
• Evenes-Lofoten (EVE) – Norway
• Faro (FAO) – Portugal
• Figari, Corsica (FSC) – France
• Frankfurt International (FRA) – Germany
• Friedrichshafen (FDH) – Germany
• Fuerteventura (FUE) – Spain
• Geneva (GVA) – Switzerland
• Gibraltar (GIB) – Gibraltar
• Gran Canaria (LPA) – Spain
• Grenoble (GNB) – France
• Hamburg (HAM) – Germany
• Ibiza (IBZ) – Spain
• Innsbruck (INN) – Austria
• Kalamata (KLX) – Greece
• Kefalonia (EFL) – Greece
• Kittila (KTT) – Finland
• Kos (KGS) – Greece
• Krakow (KRK) – Poland
• La Coruña (LCG) – Spain
• La Rochelle (LRH) – France
• Lamezia (SUF) – Italy
• Lanzarote (ACE) – Spain
• Lille (LIL) – France
• Lisbon (LIS) – Portugal
• Ljubljana (LJU) – Slovenia
• Luxembourg (LUX) – Luxembourg
• Lyon (LYS) – France
• Madeira Funchal (FNC) – Portugal
• Madrid (MAD) – Spain
• Majorca Palma (PMI) – Spain
• Malaga (AGP) – Spain
• Malta (MLA) – Malta
• Marseille Provence (MRS) – France
• Menorca Mahon (MAH) – Spain
• Milan Linate (LIN) – Italy
• Milan Malpensa (MXP) – Italy
• Montpellier (MPL) – France
• Munich (MUC) – Germany
• Murcia Intl (RMU) – Spain
• Mykonos (JMK) – Greece
• Nantes (NTE) – France
• Naples (NAP) – Italy
• Nice (NCE) – France
• Oslo (OSL) – Norway
• Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) – France
• Paris Orly (ORY) – France
• Pisa (Tuscany) (PSA) – Italy
• Porto (OPO) – Portugal
• Porto Santo (PXO) – Portugal
• Prague (PRG) – Czech Republic
• Preveza (PVK) – Greece
• Pula (PUY) – Croatia
• Rennes (RNS) – France
• Reus (REU) – Spain
• Reykjavik Keflavik (KEF) – Iceland
• Rhodes (RHO) – Greece
• Rimini (RMI) – Italy
• Rome Fiumicino (FCO) – Italy
• Rovaniemi (RVN) – Finland
• Salzburg (SZG) – Austria
• Santa Cruz de la Palma (SPC) – Spain
• Santiago de Compostela (SCQ) – Spain
• Santorini (JTR) – Greece
• Sardinia Cagliari (CAG) – Italy
• Sardinia Olbia (OLB) – Italy
• Scandinavian Mountains (SCR) – Sweden
• Seville (SVQ) – Spain
• Sicily Catania (CTA) – Italy
• Sicily Lampedusa (LMP) – Italy
• Sicily Palermo (PMO) – Italy
• Skiathos (JSI) – Greece
• Sofia (SOF) – Bulgaria
• Split (SPU) – Croatia
• Strasbourg (SXB) – France
• Tenerife South (TFS) – Spain
• Thessaloniki (SKG) – Greece
• Toulouse (TLS) – France
• Tromsø (TOS) – Norway
• Turin (TRN) – Italy
• Valencia (VLC) – Spain
• Venice Marco Polo (VCE) – Italy
• Verona (VRN) – Italy
• Vienna (VIE) – Austria
• Zadar (ZAD) – Croatia
• Zante Zakynthos (ZTH) – Greece
• Zurich (ZRH) – Switzerland

The EES applies to 29 countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. The above list of airports are the Schengen area destinations you can fly to with easyJet from the UK, as of the airline’s website at the time of publication.

Air traffic controller strikes will cause ‘indefinite’ disruption to flights from April 17, affecting some of the most popular European holiday locations

British holidaymakers are facing the prospect of indefinite disruption starting from tomorrow at major European holiday destinations. A total of 14 airports at popular holiday locations are preparing for strike action from Friday, April 17.

Air traffic controller unions are warning that the strike action is ‘indefinite’. Spanish media reports indicate that the action by USCA kicks off on April 17 at the Canary Island hotspots of Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro – with nine further locations also affected.

Other popular holiday destinations set to be hit by airport strikes include the mainland locations of Jerez de la Frontera, La Coruña, Madrid-Cuatro Vientos, Vigo and Seville. Castellón, Burgos, Huesca and Ciudad Real are also set for strike action.

Travel website Travel On World is cautioning tourists that the greatest risk is likely to be “delays, late aircraft rotations, missed connections and short-notice timetable changes.”

The site notes that for many travellers, the main concern is not a complete shutdown of operations. Instead, it is planes departing late from earlier locations, inbound flights being held up, departure slots changing around, turnaround times tightening and passengers having to put up with long waits for clear details on what is happening.

Because air traffic control is classed as an essential service, Spanish authorities have the power to impose minimum service levels. This should mean that some flights continue to operate.

Some flights are therefore likely to depart close to schedule. Yet others may face significant delays, and some could be cancelled where airlines determine the knock-on effect has become too serious.

What are my rights over the Spain airport strikes?

According to the Civil Aviation Authority, if your UK flight is delayed, and a post-Brexit regulation known as UK261 applies to it, your airline must care for you while you are delayed. This includes supplying you with food and drink depending on the length of your delay, and accommodation if you are delayed overnight.

You may also be entitled to compensation if the delay results in you reaching your destination airport more than three hours late. If the delay exceeds five hours, you can opt not to travel and receive a refund.

What is the Spain strike action all about?

The airports affected by the industrial action share a common thread – all are operated by SAERCO. Further strikes had previously been anticipated at Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, linked to a separate ongoing dispute involving Groundforce baggage handlers. However, it emerged earlier this week that this action has now been suspended.

Travellers must now contend with this latest wave of industrial unrest. Air traffic control unions say they are taking strike action over staff shortages and shift scheduling disputes – and passengers should be ready for disruption.

USCA spokesman José Luis Feliú told El Espejo Canario that delays are a real possibility. And the sunspots are busy all year long. Aena reports that 5.7million British holidaymakers visited the Canary Islands in 2023 alone.

Even outside of the school holidays, the islands remain a firm favourite with British travellers – and for good reason. According to the Hello Canary Islands website, with 4,800 daylight hours a year, the Canary Islands have the most daylight hours of anywhere in Europe.

What the unions are saying about the Spain airport strikes?

USCA spokesman José Luis Feliú told Spanish media there is currently a “shortage of air traffic controllers,” which he said directly impacts the system’s operation. “It generates greater stress, more fatigue, and makes it impossible to guarantee service continuity,” he warns.

The union spokesman highlights that the surge in air traffic has worsened the situation, compelling professionals to shoulder heavier workloads under increasingly difficult conditions, reports El Espejo Canario. One of the most pressing concerns is shift management, he alleges. “The company unilaterally changes the schedule,” alleges Feliú, leaving workers unable to plan their personal lives, he claims.

He claims that air traffic controllers are forced to “give up leave, vacations, and planned changes,” a situation he regards as unsustainable in the long run. “In the end, you work the same hours, but without any planning,” he claims.

The strike is indefinite, although minimum services will remain in place, it is understood. Spanish website Larazon reports that the union cites “staff cuts of up to 33%” as the reason for this nationwide strike.

The website reports that the action is set to affect football fans using Seville airport. The Copa del Rey final will take place in Seville between Atlético de Madrid and Real Sociedad on Saturday, April 18.

According to Diario de Jerez, as of midday Thursday, the Jerez airport schedule still showed 18 commercial flights planned for Friday (nine landings and nine takeoffs). Meanwhile, another 18 commercial operations are scheduled for Saturday, two of them with Germany.

European football’s governing body has already rejected one appeal by Barca about their quarterfinals against Atletico.

Barcelona have lodged another complaint with UEFA, after their protest about a handball incident in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal defeat to Atletico Madrid was rejected this week.

The Spanish club said in a statement on Thursday that several refereeing decisions across both legs of the tie, which Atletico won 3-2 on aggregate, “did not comply with the Laws of the Game, resulting from an incorrect application of the regulations and a lack of appropriate intervention by the VAR system in incidents of clear significance”.

The Catalan club, which finished both matches with 10 men after the dismissals of Pau Cubarsi and then Eric Garcia, believe they were on the wrong end of several contentious decisions, including two potential penalty situations that did not trigger VAR intervention.

“The accumulation of these errors had a direct impact on the course of the matches and on the final outcome of the tie, causing significant sporting and financial harm to the club,” the reigning Spanish champions added.

Barcelona said the club “reiterates the requests previously made to UEFA” and offer to “collaborate with the organisation with the aim of improving the refereeing system to ensure a more rigorous, fair and transparent application” of the regulations.

On Tuesday, UEFA had rejected as “inadmissible” the five-time Champions League winners’ initial complaint regarding a handball on a goal kick by Atletico defender Marc Pubill in the first leg, which his side won 2-0.

Many passengers are facing waits of up to three hours at Spanish airports due to the new controls

Travellers in Spain are experiencing significant delays at airports. And experts are warning that one particular group is bearing the brunt of new border controls, according to a Spanish travel organisation.

There have been widespread reports of waiting times of up to three hours. New regulations have been introduced, with some passengers in particular facing very long waits.

Spanish media reports indicate waiting times of up to three hours at Palma airport alone, with similar delays reported in France, Greece, Italy and beyond. Travel group Aviba is now calling for urgent measures to prevent chaos this coming summer.

Pedro Fiol, president of the travel association, is demanding immediate action to avert disruption this summer, and has revealed he has been pushing for such measures for months, according to Ultimata Hora. The new system has only just been introduced, having fully launched on April 10, following a trial period that began late last year.

The EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) initially began operations on 12 October 2025, with a phased rollout across 29 European countries. Now it is fully in place.

The system replaces passport stamping with digitally recorded entries, exits or refusals of entry of non-EU nationals arriving for short stays. Travellers’ facial images, fingerprints and personal data from the travel document will also be recorded.

Mr Fiol said: “The implementation of the new European Border and Security System (EES) is already beginning to be felt at the Balearic airports, especially at Son Sant Joan, the main gateway to Mallorca, where we are still operating with a hybrid model. At certain times, it is causing some slowdowns in the controls, particularly for non-EU passengers.”

He warned that “we are facing a structural change in how borders are managed across Europe: biometric registration is replacing manual passport stamping, and this means more time for the passenger’s first contact with their destination.” In his view, so far “the experience has been inconsistent: some days the operation runs relatively smoothly, while others, according to agencies and tour operators, can take more than two hours from the moment the plane lands until the traveller collects their luggage, and even nearly three hours in some specific cases.”

Ultima Hora reports that the National Police have acknowledged the delays, though they say they have seen no evidence of prolonged hold-ups. Sources close to the security forces have told Spanish media that additional staff have been deployed during peak hours in a bid to ease any difficulties that may occur during periods of heavy passenger congestion at checkpoints.

Travellers passing through airports in countries including France, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Spain and Greece are facing waits of several hours at border controls, according to the Airports Council International (ACI). Olivier Jankovec, the director of the ACI European division, told the Financial Times: “This situation, in the coming weeks and certainly over the peak summer months, is going to be simply unmanageable.

“We are seeing those queueing times now, at peak times, when traffic is just starting to build up.” A spokesperson for the European Commission told the Guardian: “What we can see from the first days of full operation is that the system is working very well. In the overwhelming majority of member states there are no issues.”

The commission said that the average registration of a passenger was 70 seconds, although the ACI has claimed that it can take up to five minutes. The spokesperson said there were a “few member states where technical issues have been detected” but that they “are being addressed”.

They said: “It is up to member states to ensure the proper implementation of the EES on the ground.” Luke Fitzpatrick, from independent travel agency Perfect Getaways, told the BBC this week that travellers should plan ahead to make border checks as smooth as possible.

“It’s about being as prepared as you can be,” Fitzpatrick told BBC Radio Merseyside. “There is a lot of uncertainty at the moment as people are getting used to the new system.”

While he said the advice was to arrive at the airport “at least three hours early”, he said it could be more difficult for people booked on a package holiday. “If you’re on a shared transfer back, everyone’s coming together at the same time,” he said.

EES changes and the impact on transfer and pick-ups

Pedro Fiol told Ultima Hora that “this situation is forcing a restructuring of transfer and pick-up operations at destinations to better co-ordinate exact times, avoid additional downtime, and guarantee the smoothest possible service.” Given this situation, he says that “travel agencies are concerned that if resources are not properly allocated at airports with such high tourist pressure as those in the Balearic Islands, significant queues and a negative first experience for visitors are possible.”

What do Brit tourists need to do with EES rules?

The govuk website states that “if you are travelling to a country in the Schengen area for a short stay using a UK passport, you may be required to register your biometric details, such as fingerprints and a photo, when you arrive. You do not need to take any action before you arrive at the border, and there is no cost for EES registration.

“EES registration is replacing the current system of manually stamping passports when visitors arrive in the EU. EES may take each passenger extra time to complete so be prepared to wait longer than usual at the border.”

The countries in the Schengen area are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

IF you thought that ditching long-haul holiday for destinations closer to home will save you money, you’re wrong.

Majorca is just a few hours from the UK and a trusted holiday spot – but in some cases it’s actually cheaper to go to the Caribbean.

The Spanish island has always been a top holiday destination, with two million British tourists going there every year.

It’s not hard to see why – the flight is short at around two and a half hours long, it’s got great weather and lots of pretty beaches.

But if you want to get more bang for your buck, you might want to look elsewhere – like the Caribbean.

In some cases, a two-week holiday to the Dominican Republic came in cheaper than a one-week break to Majorca.

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This was highlighted by Pedro Fiol, the president of the Aviba association of travel agencies in the Balearics.

Talking to Majorca Daily on behalf of Spanish citizens, he said: “At certain times of the year it is more affordable to spend 15 days in the Caribbean than to enjoy a week in our own country.”

He continued to add: “For one of the most popular weeks of the year, around August 15, this can cost some €2,300 (£2,000) per person.

“In contrast, for the same dates a trip to the Caribbean, for example to Punta Cana (Dominican Republic), for 14 nights in five-star all-inclusive hotels can be found for around €2,250 (£1,957) per person.”

While Pedro Fiol highlighted the expense for Spanish citizens to go on holiday in their own country – the same applies for Brits heading there too.

Looking at the likes of TUI, a one-week all-inclusive in Majorca during the week of August 17, 2026 can be as high as £3,793per person.

To have an all-inclusive break on the seafront – in similar looking locations to the Dominican Republic – you can book a break from £1,921 per person.

This is for a seven-night all-inclusive stay at the Iberostar Selection Albufera Playa departing on August 15, 2026, which has multiple swimming pools and beach access.

Meanwhile, 14-day all-inclusive to Bahia Principe Explore La Romana in the Dominican Republic departing on August 17, 2026, works out at £1,832 per person.

The Bahia Principe Explore La Romana has everything from multiple swimming pools to bars, a kids’ club and five on-site restaurants.

Overall the trip to the Dominican Republic is £89 cheaper – and you get to stay for twice as long.

At a day-rate, the break to the Dominican Republic resort works out at £130pppn, and the one in Majorca is £274pppn.

Here are some of our favourite Caribbean holidays…

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

Hotel Capriccio Mare, Dominican Republic

Facing the calm, crystal waters of the Caribbean Sea, Hotel Capriccio Mare looks like a bright white island villa. The hotel’s position on Bavaro’s coastline is perfect for exploring the popular resort town of Punta Cana. Whether it’s strolling the sands to grab a fresh coconut with a straw, or venturing out on a catamaran trip to Saona Island, this dreamy Caribbean resort is not one to miss.

BOOK HERE

Coconut Court Beach Hotel, Barbados

This friendly, family-run hotel is a slice of Caribbean paradise. This hotel sits smak-bang on a sugar-white beach with warm turquoise waters. Enjoy both the beaches of Barbados and its plethora of rum bars – there are about 1,500 of them on the island.

BOOK HERE

Sugar Bay Club, St Kitts

Set on the quiet side of St Kitts’ Frigate Bay, the boutique Sugar Bay Club offers superb value and wonderful views of the Atlantic Ocean. Staff are on hand to assist with island tours, from catamaran cruises to scenic railway excursions.

BOOK HERE

Antigua Yacht Club Marina Resort, Antigua

Amazing Antigua has 365 beaches – one for every day of the year – as well as a fascinating history. This resort in Falmouth Harbour is perfect for exploring the beautiful local area, including Pigeon Point, Nelson’s Dockyard and English Harbour.

BOOK HERE

All-inclusive breaks to Majorca don’t have to be that expensive though – with TUI they start from £953 per person.

At this price you can stay for seven-nights at the Hotel Stil Picafort Park which has an adults-only pool, to entertainment like cabaret and comedy performances as well as bars and a restaurants.

It has four-stars and includes return flights to London Gatwick departing on August 17, 2026.

But, it still works out cheaper to go to the Caribbean island though by £6 a day.

The Dominican Republic is one of the cheapest Caribbean islands, so it’s fairly inexpensive to explore when you get there too.

The average price of coffee in the Dominican Republic is £1.54 and a meal at an inexpensive restaurant can start from as little as £4.96, according to Wise.

In Majorca, a coffee can be as much as £3.04 with a meal ranging from £26 to £43.

The flight to the Dominican Republic is, of course, longer, taking on average nine hours and 15 minutes.

But you can expect better weather all year round too – even its coldest month, the average low is 23C.

One of the world’s best is Canto de la Playa which is found on Saona Island and is considered ‘one of the Caribbean‘s best-kept secrets’.

It’s been described as having noticeably soft sand with calm waters for swimmers and vibrant coral reefs just offshore.

Saona Island is found off the southeastern tip of the Dominican Republic and forms part of the East National Park which is known for its mangroves coral reefs and palm-fringed beaches.

In the waters around the island, visitors can expect to see sea turtles, dolphins and even humpback whales.

For more on the Caribbean, check out the island where one writer travelled to that has world-best beaches and floating bars.

And discover the ‘true gem’ resort town on one of the Caribbean’s most popular islands.

Follow the build-up and live text commentary of the game as Madrid look to come back from 2-1 first-leg defeat.

SPAIN has long been the most popular destination for British holidaymakers – but this year is set to see a record high.

Experts have said tourism numbers could hit 100million this year.

Follow The Sun’s award-winning travel team on Instagram and Tiktok for top holiday tips and inspiration @thesuntravel.

The ongoing war in the Middle East has seen nervous holidaymakers ditch some of the nearby popular destinations, such as Turkey, Egypt and Dubai.

This has instead seen them instead wanting to stay closer to home, with holidays to Spain booming.

Last year, the country welcomed 97milllion foreign tourists (up 3.5 per cent from 2024), so experts have now said it could go over 100million.

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But where to start? Do you opt for a vibey city break, or a family-friendly beach resort?

The Sun’s team of travel experts have revealed their favourite places, as well as some of the little-known spots – and how to find a mega cheap pint of beer.

Ibiza

Everyone knows Ibiza’s nightlife is a vibe – but if you want a quieter side to the island, then head to Cala Llonga.

It’s on the east coast is a family-friendly resort that shows the island’s calmer side, with rugged nature to explore and smaller, quieter hotels.

For families, the beach has flat golden sands and shallow waters overlooked by lifeguards.

Or for more adventurous travellers, there’s plenty of hikes through pinewoods that lead to rocky coves with small blue bays.

– Jenna Stevens, Travel Reporter

Valencia

You know a city is amazing when you visit during a rare 45C ‘heatbomb’ where you can barely step outside – but you still love it.

Valencia was the city that restored my love of Spain (after a mugging incident in that famous city put me off for years) for a number of reasons.

The massive City of Arts and Science was one of the most stunning buildings I’d seen, and felt like I’d stepped into another world (and fantasy fans will spot it from both Doctor Who and Westworld).

But I also loved wandering the El Cabanyal neighbourhood, named one of Europe‘s coolest and where we walked past pretty tiled houses and converted warehouses playing live jazz.

My bargain tip – head to La Finestra for £2 mini pizzas. Just be ready to perch on the kerb as its a ‘eat where you find a space’ kind of vibe.

– Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor

Gran Canaria

I’m a sucker for a fly and flop getaway – give me glorious sunshine and a continual stream of margaritas delivered to my sunlounger and I’m happy as Larry.

I’d booked a half-board stay at one of the many swish Gran Canaria resorts overlooking the beach, with temperatures are still in the low 20Cs even during winter.

But perhaps naively, I had no idea how much MORE the island had to offer – including how much of a hotspot the island was for stargazing.

Its dark and clear skies remain relatively free of light pollution, making it much easier to spot glittering stars with the naked eye.

There are plenty of professional astronomy tours you can book to get a better look through a professional telescope too.

– Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor

Cadiz

In Spain’s quieter Costa de la Luz, sunny Cadiz is where the locals like to holiday – and has even been compared to the likes of Cuba.

The southern Spanish city has the best of Andalusian culture, with charming narrow streets overlooked by the impressive 18th century Cádiz Cathedral.

The cathedral itself is well worth a visit, with an £7 ticket granting you access inside, as well as the top of the tower, the crypts and exhibitions.

Plus this area comes alive in the evenings, with a vintage carousel in the same plaza and buskers playing the guitar.

When you’re not strolling the narrow streets lined with tapas bars and cafes, you must make sure to tick off the beaches in Cadiz.

Playa la Caleta is a small stretch of sand that sits between two castles (and was used to film that Halle Berry moment in James Bond) whilst Playa Victoria has white sand and a lengthy promenade to stroll.

– Jenna Stevens, Travel Reporter

Seville

Deep in the south of Spain, Seville really has it all, and feels much more Spanish than some of the other cities across the country.

One of my favourite neighbourhoods is Alfalfa which has pretty little cafes and restaurants to explore – Casa Toni is a must for tasty paella, as well as the tiny Bar Alfafa where you can squeeze in with the locals for some delicious tapas plates.

Most main dishes start from around a tenner, while wine tends to sit between £2.50 and £3 depending on where you go.

Salvador Square is beautiful in the morning time.

I’d recommend taking a morning stroll there and picking up some brunch from Sagasta to enjoy on the outdoor seating.

For pictures, head to Plaza de Espana, which is one of the most well-known landmarks in Seville.

It’s a huge semi-circular plaza stretching over 50,000 square metres with four bridges sitting over a canal decorated with brightly coloured mosaic.

You’ll no doubt pass by Seville Cathedral too – which is the biggest Gothic cathedral in the world and while you can pay to go inside, equally, you can experience its grandeur from outside.

– Alice Penwill, Travel Reporter

If you want a fancy hotel on a budget, Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey also added: “I spent just a few days in Seville but one of the highlights was the hotel I stayed at.

“Only U felt like a fancy members club – think Soho House vibes – but without the price tag.

“An onsite florist, bakery and heated pool as well as a stunning bar area – and the chic rooms were some of the most glam I’ve stayed in – all for under £100 a night.”

Barcelona

Nothing is more spectacular than flying into Barcelona, as the plane heads flies straight over the golden coastline and into the sprawling city behind it.

I often avoid the most-visited spots, but seeing the Sagrada Familia is a must when in the city—nothing quite like this arty Gaudi-designed cathedral exists anywhere else in the world.

And away from the hustle and bustle, venture into the intricate network of lanes in the Gothic Quarter.

There are many independent shops to explore as well as places to grab some wine and tapas.

The bars here tend to be cheaper than those in the city centre – you’ll be able to grab a glass of wine and a couple tapas dishes for around a tenner. 

Don’t miss Patisserie Hofmann in the Gothic Quarter – it serves desserts that are essentially edible art (think a giant chocolate truffle that looks like the moon).

– Cyann Fielding, Travel Reporter

Lanzarote

It’s cheap, it’s cheerful, it’s sunny and it’s just four hours away – Lanzarote has fast become one of my favourite spots for a holiday.

I went to the island just last month where there were highs of 18C (much warmer than the UK’s chillier 10C).

I really recommend staying in Hotel THB Tropicale – it is lovely and quiet and without enough to do even if the weather turns on you.

The accommodation is in self-contained apartments with little kitchenettes if you want to whip up your own meals.

There’s an on-site shop selling the basics, as well as a pizzeria, bar and buffet area for meals, entertainment area, lots of swimming pools and a tennis court.

I’d recommend not booking all-inclusive and heading down to the Playa Blanca strip which had plenty of restaurants and bars – and weren’t too expensive either.

Safe to say I drank a lot of the local beer, Dorada – usually costing as little as €3 (£2.61).  

– Alice Penwill, Travel Reporter

Majorca

You know that annual family holiday abroad – the spot you return to year after year, to the very same hotel that you love? For me and my family, that was a trip to Hotel BQ Delfin Azul in Alcudia.

I loved holidaying there as a kid – getting up on stage at the kids disco, taking an inflatable unicorn into the pool, loading up on desserts at the all-inclusive buffet.

And when it comes to Spanish resorts, Alcudia is a near-perfect pick for families.

Exploring the Old Town and Roman Ruins of Pollentia keeps parents and history buffs happy, whilst Hidropark Alcudia has waterslides and trampolines adored by kids.

It’s also a super affordable part of Majorca, with a meal from the menu del dia at restaurants along the Bellevue Strip costing around €10 (£8.70).

– Jenna Stevens, Travel Reporter

While many Brits associate Majorca with its sun-drenched beaches and laidback hotels lining the coast, its capital city is where I like to head.

Old world charm seeps from its gothic architecture and the cobblestone streets are littered with tiny cafes that look as if they’ve been serving coffee for centuries.

It’s also a great place to shop with high street stores like Zara, H&M and (my personal favourite) Massimo Dutti, flogging gear for a much cheaper price than in the UK. Plus, shopping abroad always feels a little fancier.

Swing by the mighty cathedral which is so much more than just a beautiful Gothic structure – you can climb the 215 steps to its roof terrace for epic views over the city.

– Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor

Marbella

Forget the summer season of Marbella, and let me persuade you to visit out of the peak season.

First of all, you can pretty much walk into any bar or restaurant without having to book – we were the only non-locals in Taberna La Niña del Pisto and somehow only spent £20 each despite piles of tapas and even a bottle of wine.

Sure, you’ll have to miss the beach clubs – most of them are only just starting to open, with others not until May – but instead you get quiet streets to take in the heart of the Spanish resort.

I spent my trip at the Hard Rock Hotel, enjoying music-themed massages as well as breakfast doughnuts aptly hanging from a guitar

If you can wait until Christmas, Marbella really comes alive – the insane amount of lights throughout the town, as well as the live concerts of Felix Navidad and one of Spain’s ‘most Christmassy streets’ aren’t to be missed.

– Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor

A NUMBER of popular holiday destinations in Spain are losing their Ryanair flights this year.

The budget airline confirmed last year they would be cutting 1.2million seats across the country,

Follow The Sun’s award-winning travel team on Instagram and Tiktok for top holiday tips and inspiration @thesuntravel.

The cancellations are due to the increase in airport fees, which would mean airlines paying an extra 21 per cent from 2027 to 2031.

An initial increase of 6.44 per cent has already been introduced back in March.

At the time of the announcement, the CEO of Ryanair, Eddie Wilson said: “Next winter we will make further cuts to regional airport services and I remind you that our total traffic in Spain for this summer will only grow by 0.5 per cent compared to 9 per cent in Italy, 11 per cent in Morocco or 20 per cent in Poland.

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“Aena’s proposal to increase fares by 21 per cent is regrettable, but not surprising, as this airport monopoly has a history of applying the highest fares at the expense of traffic development, especially at Spain’s regional airports, which are 70 per cent empty.”

He also commented that if the fees were increased it would “make even the most popular airports in Spain uncompetitive” and that Ryanair would turn to “other places in Europe where rates are more competitive”.

Here are some of the destinations being affected.

Asturias

All Ryanair flights to the coastal region of Asturias in north Spain have been stopped.

If you do want to head to Asturias though, British Airways, Iberia and Vueling all fly to the airport from the UK.

Vigo

All flights to the port city of Vigo in northwest Spain were suspended on January 1.

Routes cancelled include from London Stansted Airport.

There are currently no direct flights from the UK with other airlines to Vigo – instead, you would have to book a flight to Madrid then to Vigo.

Alternatively, Porto Airport is less than two hours away.

Tenerife North

All Ryanair flights to Tenerife North were stopped over the winter.

This included a route from London Stansted Airport.

If travellers want to head to Tenerife now, their best bet is to fly to Tenerife South, which Ryanair flies to from a number of UK airports including London Stansted, Bristol and Birmingham.

Valladolid

All flights to Valladolid in northwest Spain have been scrapped with the airline’s base closed at the airport since winter 2024.

If you wish to travel to Valladolid, the best way would be to fly to Madrid which is under two hours away.

Jerez

Ryanair has cancelled all of its direct flights to Jerez in the Andalusia region.

However, if you still want to fly to the destination, you can do so from the UK with Jet2.

Jet2 offers flights to Jerez from Birmingham, Leeds Bradford, London Stansted and Manchester.

Alternatively, you could fly to Seville and then hop on a train that takes less than an hour to Jerez.

Santiago de Compostela

Santiago de Compostela Airport in the Galicia region will no longer have a Ryanair base, which will mean fewer flights to the destination.

While the budget airline does still operate flights to and from the airport, Sun Travel found that these are mainly to destinations within Spain.

There are a number of other airlines that fly to the airport though, including British Airways, Vueling and Iberia.

Santander

Ryanair is set to reduce its capacity from Santander, known for its stunning views of the Bay of Biscay, by 38 per cent.

But the airline is still operating UK flights to the airport, including from Manchester, Birmingham and London Stansted – just a reduced number.

Zaragoza

The airline is also reducing flights from Zaragoza – the capital of Aragon in northeastern Spain – by 45 per cent.

While the airline does still fly to the airport, it is mainly from destinations outside the UK such as Milan in Italy.

Sun Travel found one route from the UK to the airport, which is from London Stansted.

Vitoria

There will be a slight reduction in Ryanair capacity to Vitoria (two per cent), which is the capital of the Basque region.

Despite this, Sun Travel found no routes from the UK to the Spanish airport with that airline.

If you want to head to Vitoria, your best bet is to fly to Bilbao Airport which is about an hour-and-a-half away.

Girona

Routes from Girona in Catalonia are also set to be reduced by 11 per cent over this summer season, according to Euro News.

Sun Travel found that there are currently still flights from UK airports including London Stansted, Bournemouth and Birmingham to the airport.

In other flight news, British travel misery is set to get worse as European flight cancellations stretch to five days.

Plus, two major airlines are set to hike flights by up to £90 due to rising jet fuel prices.

Follow the build-up and live text commentary of the game as Barcelona look to come back from 2-0 first leg defeat.

Jaume Guardeno sustained serious injuries after collision with a car at the end of a Volta a Catalunya cycling race.

Young Spanish rider Jaume Guardeno remains in a critical condition in hospital two weeks after a crash while training.

“Jaume continues his fight in the intensive care unit of Tauli Hospital in Sabadell, where he’s been since March 31, when he suffered an accident while training,” the Caja Rural-Seguros RGA team said in a statement on Tuesday.

The 23-year-old Guardeno sustained serious injuries when he collided with a vehicle, reportedly head injuries, after his bicycle struck a rock, days after he finished 29th in the Volta a Catalunya race.

Guardeno finished 14th in the Spanish Vuelta last year, and Caja Rural-Seguros RGA is due to make its Tour de France debut this year.

“His condition remains critical, although stable within the seriousness of his condition. He is under constant monitoring and is scheduled to undergo further procedures in the coming days to aid his recovery,” the team added.

Cycling is enjoying a resurgence in popularity thanks to young riders Tadej Pogacar, Mathieu van der Poel, Wout van Aert, Remco Evenepoel and Jonas Vingegaard, but dangers remain. Last month, Olympic champion Tom Pidcock pulled out of the Volta a Catalunya after crashing down a ravine, and Italian cyclist Debora Silvestri was hospitalised after crashing during the women’s Milan-San Remo one-day classic.

A tourist who recently travelled to Tenerife shared how she went on holiday to catch a tan, but ended up coming home with something totally different instead. Vicky Walton said the holiday was like nothing she expected

A Tenerife tourist recently ventured on holiday in a bid to catch a tan, but an unlikely issue ended up hindering her plan. Vicky Walton recently visited the popular holiday spot in the Canary Islands, but was left floored when she arrived at the destination.

Now is the time of year when lots of people are jetting off abroad, with travel season officially being in full swing; however, Vicky’s trip didn’t turn out quite as she expected. She jetted off to Tenerife for some time in the sun in hope of catching a tan, but she ended up coming home with something very different.

It’s not the first issue of its kind to be brought up lately either. Just weeks ago, some holidaymakers admitted they’d booked early flights home due to an unexpected problem.

Sharing footage of her trip on TikTok, she said: “Tenerife. Came for the sun. Leaving with the clouds.” In the caption, Vicky added: “Won’t be bringing the sun back home with me!”

The footage shows just how cloudy it was on the island, and she implied it was rather cold too. Other people admitted they’d experienced similar issues.

One said: “I was there yesterday. I’m sick of Tenerife and the weather. Five times I’ve been here – never had a full week of nice weather. Never coming back!”

Another added: “Right now the whole island is like this, with a storm alert. We have spent the coldest winter of our lives. We have had intermittent storms for two months.”

A third replied: “Me too. Really cold and cloudy yesterday.” Meanwhile, a fourth commented: “I had to go back to my room and get my hot water bottle out.”

Someone else noted: “Weather’s s***. Been here twice in two months and it’s been the worst. Won’t be back for a long time.”

Not everyone had bad experiences though. Other tourists reported witnessing better weather during their visits.

One said: “Very warm here today.” Another replied: “Thermometer said 32° at 2pm. It’s been beautiful today.”

A different person also added: “Came home on Thursday after a full week of sun.” It seems people have had very different holidays.

What’s been happening?

Tenerife is known for offering year-round warm weather, which is perhaps why tourists have been surprised lately. The destination is often referred to as the “island of eternal spring.”

Temperatures average 18°C to 21°C in winter and 24°C to 28°C in summer, with the south coast being warmer and drier than the north. August is usually the hottest month of the year, with temperatures generally reaching up to 29°C.

However, over the past few weeks, the island has been hit by storms, wind and rain. Back in March, the island was struck by Storm Therese, which brought unusually low temperatures, bleak conditions, cancelled flights and even snow warnings in some areas.

Various tourists have reported the weather has been more unsettled this year. However, some areas have been more impacted than others.

Natasha Cochrane De La Rosa, 26, was born in London but has been left stranded in Spain after new UK border rules for dual nationals meant she was denied boarding on a flight back home

A British-born woman has been left stranded in Spain after falling foul of new UK border regulations that resulted in her being refused re-entry to the country.

Natasha Cochrane De La Rosa was barred from boarding a return flight from Amsterdam to Luton after spending a short holiday there with friends.

On her scheduled day of departure on April 6, the-26-year-old successfully passed through check-in, security and passport control, only to be turned away at the gate, she claimed.

The Home Office introduced updated regulations on February 25 stating that dual nationals can no longer enter the UK solely using a foreign passport.

They must now produce either a British or Irish passport or hold a digital certificate of entitlement.

Natasha was born and brought up in Islington, North London, and has a British father and Spanish mother.

As her parents were unmarried at the time of her birth, her father was unable to automatically pass on his citizenship, something Natasha says has placed her in a ‘grey area’, reports the Manchester Evening News.

She says that in order to return home, she must either pay £589 for a digital certificate of entitlement or apply for a British passport.

To do so, she explained she must ‘prove’ her mother held free movement rights across the EU at the time of her birth – documentation she says she never received.

Natasha, a client success manager who now lives in Haringey, North London, said: “I was born in Islington, I have paid taxes, I have voted. I am a dual national I do have British nationality but the government are saying none of that I have lived for 26 years matters anymore.”

Natasha is currently staying in Spain with a family friend, having booked a flight from Amsterdam to Seville after being unable to return to London.

“Luckily I am privileged enough to have a haven essentially but if I didn’t have any ties to my country, didn’t speak the language or have anywhere to stay I would have been left homeless in the Netherlands”, she said.

“I feel the government have failed and they have a responsibility to dual nationals and the population of the UK that such dramatic and important law changes are effectively communicated.

“People are commenting on my social media posts saying they would be in the same position as me if they had not come across my story. While I do take responsibility for not having checked, why would I check something that for 26 years of my life I’ve never had to do.

“The system is poorly designed and offers no support or understanding for citizens like myself who do not hit the check box but are still a British citizen.”

Natasha originally departed from Luton Airport on April 2, spending several days in Amsterdam on a holiday with friends.

On her scheduled return on April 6, she claims she was able to check in, pass through security and passport control and reached the gate of her homeward flight before being refused boarding.

She added: “They [the airline] called immigration on the phone basically were saying these new laws had come in. I was showing my birth certificate, my national insurance, my P45, my dad’s birth certificate and was still denied boarding as I had not got the right documentation.”

As her parents were unmarried at the time of her birth in 1999, Natasha’s father was unable to automatically pass on his citizenship.

She now faces two options: applying for a passport, which she fears could be rejected — as she claims there is no documentation confirming her mother held free movement rights — or paying in excess of £500 for a digital certificate of entitlement.

She added: “There was not documentation, not to my mother or anyone with free movement rights in the EU given to them by the government. How do we prove that now?

“To prove it we’re having to find HMRC documents or find anything that proves she was here legally. It was 26 and a bit years ago so it’s been a nightmare finding the documents.”

Natasha also revealed that following Brexit in 2021, her mother applied for settlement papers, as did her younger sister who was born in Spain, both of which were approved.

However, she claims she was informed she ‘didn’t qualify’ as she was already a British citizen. She added that she is currently unable to apply for the digital certificate of entitlement, as she still lacks the necessary documents from her mother – and has been advised the process could take a minimum of three to six months, or potentially up to a year, to resolve.

A Home Office spokesperson said: “Since 25 February 2026, all dual British citizens need to present either a valid British passport or Certificate of Entitlement when travelling to the UK. To prove citizenship and enter the UK legally, individuals can apply for a British passport or Certificate of Entitlement from abroad.

“Public information advising dual nationals to carry the correct documentation has been available since October 2024 and a substantive communications campaign about the introduction of ETA has been running since 2023. This requirement applies to all British citizens regardless of other nationality and is the same approach taken by other countries, including the United States, Canada and Australia.”

Jordan and Ray Bath took a risk by leaving behind their lives in Basildon, Essex, to start again in Majorca, Spain, where their children, six and four, are adapting to a completley new culture

A couple who swapped Essex for Majorca say they won’t be returning after noticing big change to their family. Jordan and Ray Bath lived in England for their entire lives until they sold their house and business and moved their young children, aged six and four, to the largest of Spain’s Balearic Islands.

They have now been residing in the family-friendly seaside town of Pollensa for 10 weeks and have documented their journey on YouTube.

Their lifestyles are now radically different to back home in Basildon, Essex — and they spoke exclusively to us about how they were settling in.

Ray, 37, told us: “It has been nearly 11 weeks now and we have not missed anything about the UK. We are flying back to participate in the London Marathon but it is only a five-day trip and after that we don’t know when we will be back in the UK again.”

Jordan, 32, meanwhile added: “We are very content, very happy, and it is like, ‘Why didn’t we do this sooner?’ I’m so glad we did the jump when we did. We hope we can give our kids the quality of life that we are striving for.”

Why Majorca

Jordan has been holidaying in Majorca since her childhood before she started going with Ray when they met 14 years ago.

They fell in love with it and as for why they moved there, which has long been a dream, Ray said: “I would say personally, I have always wrestled with the idea of retiring and then moving into the sunset to the beach. But actually, the biggest struggle for me was, why do I have to wait until I am 65? Why can’t we do it now? Why can’t we do it while I’ve got the energy?”

Jordan also explained that the sad death of Ray’s dad made them realise how short life actually was, and that the perfect time might never come.

And giving further insight into why they relocated so far from home, she added: “We moved here for a better quality of life, it’s not a tax benefit, not a way of us earning more money.

“We lived in Essex, which is such a rat race. I cannot emphasise enough how I am still trying to get used to it myself. But it is a slower pace of life, the children are the priority, like our children go into school and the teachers hug them and kiss them good morning.”

Agreeing, Ray replied: “Life just feels less heavy, doesn’t it?”

Jordan and Ray have been personal trainers for 15 years and they now offer one to one coaching experiences through their online Viva Endure business.

One of the biggest challenges of living in Majorca was the “obscene” cost of renting or buying properties. However, Ray said that it was also an opportunity for them to attract clientele with potentially bigger budgets.

Huge lifestyle benefit

And while working online has allowed them to move abroad, they said their day-to-day lives now look totally different.

They said they are still in the transition and sometimes have “pinch ourselves moments” where they realise it is not just a holiday and they actually live on the gloriously sunny island with stunning beaches.

They are based in the Old Town where everything is within walking distance from their home — including where their children go to school, the kids’ sports clubs and the supermarket.

The family rent a spacious four-bedroom townhouse, which has two balconies and four bathrooms, in Puerto Pollensa.

As for how the kids were adapting, Jordan said: “They are absolutely loving it. My mum and dad came out here in Easter and said do they want to come back to the UK and they were like ‘no!’”

Giving further insight into how active their lifestyles were now, Ray added: “In the UK we always struggled to get them out on their bikes. It was just dark, dull, grey and we lived too far to the park and it just wasn’t conducive to getting out on their bikes.

“Maybe I am just making excuses, but here, we chucked them both on their bikes and just rode, and within three days we were riding to and from school with them, the four of us, and it was amazing and now we ride our bikes to school every day.”

They also explained that kids tended to stay younger for longer in Majorca, where active play was encouraged, as opposed to staying in and being on devices scrolling TikTok and YouTube.

Asked for the biggest contrast to the UK, Ray said: “It is very simple for me. The lifestyle out here forces you to be more present. It forces you to be present and slow down.”

On a separate point, he said their last monthly electricity bill in the UK cost £272, compared to in Majorca where they just paid €150 (approximately £131).

Challenges

As well as the high cost of property as previously mentioned, the most obvious challenge has been settling into an island where there are two official languages, Spanish and Catalan.

Jordan and Ray have been having Spanish classes twice a week whereas their children are now in a state school so they can be immersed into the dialect.

Their kids are learning to speak the Majorcan dialect of Catalan while also picking up Spanish from their classmates.

Schools also operate differently, because rather than ending after 3pm, classes finish at 1pm, meaning Jordan and Ray have a smaller window to complete their own work.

And giving an insight, Jordan said: “The biggest challenge for me is making sure our kids, especially our eldest who is six, has settled into school.

“She is such a confident little girl and in the UK she was really confident and the first to put her hands up and friends with everyone so I suppose she has gone from like a big fish in a small pond to the smallest fish in the biggest pond where there is a language barrier.

“I know that this transition will be hard at first and she won’t remember it in years to come but it has only been 10 weeks and it has been so much more smoother now. We have been to kids parties, she does tennis, she does football after school and she has got a great little friendship group.”

She added: “It is just getting used to a slightly different routine. The days are just longer, in the UK the kids used to go to bed around 7pm but out there they go to bed at like 8.30pm. It is just because of that culture which is amazing but it is getting used to it.”

Jordan said children come alive at night time and that it was common to see them out on scooters and bikes in the evening where they also dance around the square.

She said the town was family oriented and that while the pace was slower to Essex, it was a smaller bubble full of love, especially for little ones.

The couple are now on a three-year visa, which they can then renew for a further two years before applying for full-time residency after five years.

And asked how long they will stay out in Spain, Ray concluded: “I can’t see any reason why I personally would want to return to the UK — and Jordan is shaking her head so she is the same.

“So how long term is it? Forever.”

The first UCLA player off the WNBA draft board Monday night was Lauren Betts, who went No. 4 overall to the Washington Mystics.

Betts’ selection touched off a lengthy Bruins celebration in New York, with UCLA forward Gabriela Jaquez selected No. 5 by the Chicago Sky and UCLA guard Kiki Rice selected No. 6 by expansion team Toronto Tempo.

After a brief break, UCLA forward Angela Dugalic was next in line. She was selected with the No. 9 pick by the Washington Mystics, where she will join Betts.

It is the second time the same college had four players selected in the first round. The last time was in 2002 when UConn had four first-round draft picks.

Betts averaged 17.1 points per game, 8.8 rebounds and shot 58.2% from the field as a senior in the Bruins’ national championship run. She was named the Final Four Most Outstanding Player, was an AP All-American First Team and Big Ten Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year.

“I play with joy,” Betts said on ESPN after she was drafted. “This season has been so joyful. … You can see all the positivity that I play with.”

UCLA center Lauren Betts poses with WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert after being selected No. 4 by the Washington Mystics Monday.

(Pamela Smith / Associated Press)

She also joined her former Stanford teammate and USC rival Kiki Iriafen, who was a first-round pick last year.

“It’s been amazing, I’ve grown so much, my confidence, I’ve owned who I am as a player and a person,” Betts said.

Jaquez spent all four seasons with UCLA and was one of the most improved players in the nation en route to helping the Bruins win a national title. She averaged 13.5 points per game, 5.5 rebounds and shot 53.9% from the field and 39% from three-point range.

“I’m so excited to be here, I think having these dreams of going to UCLA and going to the WNBA and to achieve them not only by myself, but with my teammates means everything,” she told ESPN.

UCLA guard Gabriela Jaquez poses with WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert after being selected No. 5 by the Chicago Sky on Monday.

(Pamela Smith / Associated Press)

She was named to the NCAA All-Tournament team and was an All-Big Ten second team selection.

“Going into every game and doing what the team needs,” she said about how she wanted to contribute to Chicago. “I’m going into training camp ready to learn, being a sponge and being myself and working hard.”

Rice played four seasons for the Bruins and scored 14.9 points per game with 5.9 rebounds last season while picking up 4.3 assists and averaging a 49% from the field. She was named an AP third-team All-American, was named to the NCAA All-Tournament team and was on the Big Ten First Team and all-Defensive team.

“I take a ton of pride in being the best teammate and figuring out how to make everyone better around me,” she told ESPN. “Really excited to get to work and meet everyone. It’s going to be really important to have great leadership.”

UCLA guard Kiki Rice poses with WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert after being selected No. 6 by the Toronto Tempo on Monday.

(Pamela Smith / Associated Press)

Rice was grateful so many UCLA players got a chance to celebrate getting selected.

“This is so special,” she said. “Every one of us here deserves it so much.”

Dugalic came off the bench last season as the Bruins’ sixth player after starting the previous two seasons. In her role, she was one of the most steady veteran players in the country.

“That’s gonna be great,” Dugalic said to ESPN of playing with Betts. “I’m super excited for that. That will be a smooth transition, playing with her.”

UCLA forward Angela Dugalic poses with WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert after being selected No. 9 by the Washington Mystics on Monday.

(Pamela Smith / Associated Press)

The Big Ten Sixth Player of the year averaged 9.0 points per game, 5.6 rebounds and shot 50.2% from the field. She can shoot from range at 32.6% and is a tough perimeter defender and can bang in the post at 6-foot-4.

Earlier in the draft, UConn guard Azzi Fudd was selected by Dallas Wings with the No. 1 overall pick. Notre Dame guard Olivia Miles was selected by the Minnesota Lynx with the No. 2 pick. Awa Fam Thiam, who played in Spain, was selected by the Seattle Storm with the No. 3 pick.

In between UCLA picks, Iyana Martín Carrión, of Spain, was selected No. 7 overall by the Portland Fire. LSU star Flau’jae Johnson was selected No. 8 by the Golden State Valkyries.

South Carolina’s Raven Johnson was selected No. 10 by the Indiana Fever. Ole Miss’ Cotie McMahon was selected No. 11 by the Washington Mystics. Nell Angloma, of France, was selected No. 12 by the Connecticut Sun. South Carolina’s Madina Okot was selected No. 13 by the Atlanta Dream. Duke’s Taina Mair was selected No. 14 by the Seattle Storm.

The Sparks are idle in the first round and will make picks in the second and third rounds.

Check back for more updates throughout the draft.