Victoria Vigors’ holiday of a lifetime was left in tatters at the airport
Victoria, Roxie and Riley before their ill-fated ‘holiday of a lifetime’(Image: Jam Press)
A family’s dream holiday costing £6,500 was left in tatters after they were turned away at the boarding gate. Victoria Vigors, 41, arrived at Gatwick Airport ready for their all-inclusive two-week break to Hurghada, Egypt.
Victoria, who was with children Riley, 15, and Roxie, nine, checked in online for their easyJet flight. But problems emerged when staff scanned their boarding passes at the gate and noticed Roxie’s passport didn’t meet Egypt’s entry requirements for remaining validity.
“My stomach dropped, and I felt like I’d been kicked in the stomach,” Victoria, from Kent, told creatorzine.com.
“The kids crumpled and I burst into tears. I begged the staff but there was nothing they could do. We had to be escorted back to get our luggage off the flight. It was so embarrassing.
“The kids were devastated, Roxie kept saying it was her fault and we were so disappointed. It was a really bad day.”
Victoria had saved up for two years for the trip, which she described as the “holiday of a lifetime”. The 41-year-old said it would have been their first two-week trip abroad together, and their first time staying at an all-inclusive resort.
Roxie’s passport expires on January 4, 2027. However, Victoria said she hadn’t realised that could still prevent travel. UK government foreign travel advice states British passport holders must have at least six months’ validity remaining from the date they arrive in Egypt.
Because Roxie’s passport did not meet that threshold, Victoria said the airline refused to let them board. She said she hadn’t known the rules and believed everything was in order.
“I wasn’t aware of the rules. I was given her passport the day before we flew by her dad. In my head, it was six months anyway, so I didn’t think there’d be an issue. For people like me who don’t always travel and it’s the first time with my children, I wasn’t to know.
“I would have thought when I put her passport details in to check in that would tell me it wasn’t valid. That would be a simple system to install so save this agony and heartbreak. It’s crazy.”
Victoria said the family is now trying to secure an emergency passport in the hope they can still get away for at least the final days of the trip, after being told they can’t get a refund.
“I’d been saving up for two years. We were incredibly excited as we’d never had a two-week holiday abroad together or been to a resort like this. It was going to be the holiday of a lifetime.”
WASHINGTON — Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett told lawmakers Tuesday that a sharp increase in threats targeting her and other justices is increasingly encroaching on their personal and family lives.
During a rare appearance by justices before Congress, Barrett said she had to wear a bulletproof vest home a few years ago, something she struggled to explain to her 12-year-old son.
“I didn’t expect that performing this service would put me in the position of explaining to my children what a bulletproof vest was, why I had to wear one,” she said.
She and Justice Elena Kagan testified before a House appropriations panel in support of a request to increase security funding for members of the nation’s highest court.
Judges around the country have seen a rise in threats of violence and intimidation. Barrett’s home was also targeted by a swatting call to police in May.
The hearing comes two weeks after the conservative-majority court finished handing down a series of major opinions, including a decision that increased President Trump’s power over federal regulatory agencies and another that rejected his wide-ranging tariffs, sparking harsh personal criticism.
It’s the first time justices have testified before Congress since 2019, and the two justices are facing wide-ranging questions about the court’s work.
Security is central to the Supreme Court’s budget request
The Supreme Court requested a total of $228 million for next fiscal year, a roughly 10% increase over the year before. About $18 million of that is for maintaining the building and grounds.
Much of the requested increase, $14.6 million, would go to expanding personal protection for justices, with six more agents for each.
An additional $2 million would fund an off-site residential security post aimed at making emergency responses faster, as well as increasing the number of Supreme Court police officers.
The U.S. Marshals Service, responsible for protecting judges, reported 564 threats in the government fiscal year that ended in September, an increase from the year before.
That total includes threats to the hundreds of federal judges around the country, though the nine-member Supreme Court has not been immune.
In May, Barrett’s security detail worked with police to quickly deal with the swatting incident, a fake 911 call designed to provoke a police response. Last year, her sister was the victim of a bomb threat in Charleston, S.C., police said. No bomb was found.
In 2022, shortly after the leak of a draft opinion overturning the Roe vs. Wade abortion decision, a would-be assassin was arrested near the home of Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh with weapons and zip ties. Threats to the Supreme Court increased after that leak and have continued to grow, Kagan said.
Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. has condemned the threats to all U.S. judges, saying during a speech in March that criticism of judicial opinions is understandable, but personally directed hostility is “dangerous, and it’s got to stop.”
By the 1930s, 10million people were visiting each year.
Following the Second World War, the town reached its golden era with around 17million annual visitors.
During this time, the image a lot of people still associate with Blackpool was created – packed ballrooms, shows and a beach full of deck chairs.
So when did it all go downhill?
In the late 1960s and 1970s, cheap flights to Spain started booming, with some overseas trips the same price – or even cheaper – than a week in Blackpool.
The town’s tourism relied on Northern England‘s industrial workers too, so as factories shut down in the 1980s, the target market moved away.
Soon, its image as a budget ‘Vegas of the North’ emerged, attracting partygoers looking for cheap, boozy nights out.
In addition to a long-stretching beach, Blackpool is home to three piers, a theme park and the UK’s biggest indoor waterparkCredit: Cyann FieldingAnd of course, there is the famous Blackpool Tower which you can go upCredit: Cyann Fielding
Having visited this weekend, I can’t talk about being nostalgic as I’m a 25-year-old Gen Zer who has never visited the seaside town before.
But as someone who grew up on the south coast visiting numerous seaside spots every summer, I can talk about how Blackpool compares.
Having recently been named one of the worst seaside towns by Which?, my expectations were already low.
Spoiler alert: they needn’t have been.
Turning the corner from the town centre to the promenade onboard the tram, there it was in all its glory: the beach, the Pleasure Beach,the tower and not one, not two, but three piers.
Admittedly, parts are rough around the edges.
Some hotels and B&Bs definitely need of some TLC and there are a number of boarded up shops waiting for new owners.
But honestly, it is hard to name a British seaside town that doesn’t have a bit of that nowadays.
And I must admit, the beach with the sun making the water glisten, did look a dream.
The fun and upbeat vibe is really evident in the north of the town.
The seaside town is home to the UK’s two cheapest pubsCredit: Cyann FieldingTommy Cutler’s sells pints for £1.75 and The Ardwick sells pints for as little as £1.69Credit: Cyann Fielding
The promenade was busy but not crowded and everyone had a smile on their face as the sun beat down.
In this part of Blackpool, you’ll find one of the piers alongside the iconic Blackpool Tower.
I headed up in a lift that travelled through the centre of the red steel structure to a viewing point 120 metres above the ground.
The panoramic views are spectacular, and the only spot in Blackpool where you can take in the full length of the beach.
At the base of the tower, you’ll also find Blackpool Tower Dungeon, a similar experience to the London Dungeon but slightly shorter.
All along the promenade, I wandered past souvenir shops, donut stalls and cheap chippies – I mean seriously cheap chippies, with portions for just a couple of quid.
On a mission for a cool pint, I stumbled across Tommy Cutler’s along a road set back from the main promenade.
A refreshing pint is exactly what I got, but what made it even better is that it only cost me £1.75 – making it the cheapest pint in the UK.
The only place you’ll get one cheaper is some Wetherspoons pubs.
The pub has a generous outdoor decking for soaking up the sunshine and the latest hits blare from giant speakers.
You can head to Blackpool Pleasure Beach too which has loads of rollercoastersCredit: Cyann FieldingMake sure to watch the Hot Ice show tooCredit: Hot Ice XC
Head a minute down the road to The Ardwick for a more traditional pub vibe, with a pool table and darts boards and you can also pick up a pint here for £1.90 – or even cheaper on a Thursday, at £1.69 a pint.
At the south end of the town, you’ll find South Pier, along with Sandcastle Waterpark – the biggest indoor waterpark in the UK – and Blackpool’s most famous attraction, Blackpool Pleasure Beach Resort.
Heated to a tropical 29C, Sandcastle Waterpark boasts 18 slides and water coasters.
Little ones can be lulled by gentle waves or make a splash in a dedicated water play area, but for adults without kids like myself, you can head to the spa.
Jumping between the salt inhalation room, steam rooms and a sauna, I felt adequately relaxed with the blur of screams behind me from people dropping down the numerous slides.
For dry fun, on the other hand, it doesn’t get much better than Pleasure Beach Resort. Gripping onto the handrails every time, I rolled around on the historic wooden rollercoasters and flipped upside down on the more modern thrill rides.
The resort perfectly blends traditional seaside charm and modern fun to create a day out that pleases the entire family.
The star of the show though? The newly upgraded Wallace & Gromit’s Thrill-O-Matic dark ride which takes you around different sets seen in the films.
To get the best of Blackpool’s attractions, make sure to purchase The Ultimate Ticket, which Blackpool Tourism launched earlier this year.
The ticket includes entry to The Blackpool Tower Top, Sandcastle Waterpark, Pleasure Beach Resort, Madame Tussauds Blackpool, The Blackpool Tower Dungeon and The Blackpool Tower Circus usually costing £65, but thanks to the Government’s Great British Summer Savings scheme, the price is £56.88 until 1 September.
Also make sure to spend one evening of your stay in Blackpool at the Hot Ice show, which takes place in the park’s arena.
Featuring 30 Olympic and professional ice skaters, it’s a marvel for the eyes that feels like a West End on ice.
And to elevate your time in the town, you can stay at The Boulevard HotelCredit: Cyann FieldingThe five-star hotel has sea-view rooms as well as one that overlook the theme park
If you thought you could only stay in a run down B&B, I would think again – Blackpool even boasts a five-star hotel.
The Boulevard Hotel sits at the south end of Pleasure Beach Resort and inside you can expect sleek silver interiors, with a swish restaurant and bar.
There is a wide variety with an adults only floor and family rooms available, or you can either get a room overlooking the ocean like mine – and even one that looks at the rolling rollercoasters whizzing by.
Rooms cost from just £85 per night, including breakfast – which, might I add, was a great selection of cooked items, cereals, fruit and even pancakes.
The added perk is that if you stay Friday to Sunday you’ll get tickets to Pleasure Beach for free, which you can then access from a private entrance right outside the front of the hotel.
But if you are on even more of a tight budget, I did also check into a cheap £23 a night B&B – which I will be doing a full review on soon.
Epic food, amazing shows, museums you won’t find anywhere else and a helicopter ride down the famous strip – here’s my ultimate Las Vegas itinerary
Niamh Kirk Features Writer and Octavia Lillywhite Acting beauty and wellness editor
07:00, 11 Jul 2026
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Neon capital of the world – Las Vegas is a larger than life destination(Image: Getty)
The glitz, the glam, those unforgettable “wow” moments – it’s easy to see why Las Vegas remains the ultimate bucket-list destination. Whether you’re marveling at the neon skyline from 1,000 feet up or walking the Strip to soak in the music and eclectic fashion, this town is a sensory explosion that demands to be experienced at least once.
The home of the famous strip, countless wedding chapels and its own Eiffel Tower and Statue of Liberty, this place almost doesn’t feel real. It’s defined by vintage camp, 24-hour casinos, more buffet restaurants than you can possibly imagine, and high-class dining eateries. Welcome to Vegas, baby.
I arrived via a direct flight from Heathrow, checking into The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. Arguably the best-positioned hotel on the Strip, it offers the perfect paradox: you are in the heart of the action, yet the rooms are a sanctuary of total silence.
My suite featured a private balcony overlooking the city’s glowing landmarks and the iconic choreography of the Bellagio fountains. Watching the water dance from my room, the excitement for my desert escape truly set in.
Where to find the best places to eat in Las Vegas
Food is central to the Vegas experience, so first on the agenda once we’d dropped our bags was brunch at Alexxa’s – situated on the Strip, right in the thick of the action. In the spirit of a true American getaway, we went straight for the classics, ordering a spread of fried chicken and waffles, fluffy American-style pancakes and steak and eggs.
Of course, no Vegas brunch is complete without a little “hair of the dog.” I washed it all down with the most gargantuan Bloody Mary I’ve ever seen, complete with a slice of bacon. Nothing here is small-scale – it was the perfect, over-the-top introduction to the local food scene.
But don’t miss breakfast at the hotel either. The Cosmopolitan‘s Wicked Spoon is a brilliant buffet, with pretty much everything you could possibly think of… I even had a few sushi rolls on the side.
For dinner, we feasted at Mayfair Supper Club inside the Bellagio (yes, the one from Ocean’s Eleven), where live dancers perform around diners as they tuck into all-American classics.
But the highlight was dinner at Vanderpump Paris – and as a Real Housewives of Beverly Hills fan, it was the dream. Lisa Vanderpump knows how to put together a menu. Curated with Parisian themes embellished with Vegas flair and eclectic cocktails, I felt like a total superstar eating here.
Experiences you must not miss while you’re there
I could have filled the days just walking up and down the infamous strip. With buskers, magicians, show girls (and show boys) I spotted the Eiffel Tower, the Luxor pyramid, the Empire State Building, the Paris globe and the iconic casinos – which were already getting busy, despite it being barely two in the afternoon.
But there are so many bucket list experiences to try, too. We started with an ice hockey Game: Golden Knights vs. Edmonton Oilers (tickets around £55). I was pretty much an ice hockey novice, but that doesn’t matter a jot. American sport is packed with entertainment, and it didn’t take me long to soak up the atmosphere and join in with the chants. Why can’t this be a thing in the UK?
As if that wasn’t enough excitement for one night, we then ticked off another iconic moment – a helicopter ride down the Strip.
Now, I’m no daredevil (I was slightly apprehensive), but as soon as we got up into the sky it was magical. We were given a 10-minute tour by our pilot, taking off at 10:30pm, just as Vegas was truly coming alive for the night.
We also checked out The Sphere, which I’d like to call an immersive cinema but it’s so much more than that. It’s a one of a kind, multi-sensory show with holograms and AI. With tickets for the classic The Wizard of Oz, I was expecting a cinematic experience. In fact, it was fully immersive, to the point it made us feel like we were actually in the storm with Dorothy.
Another recommendation is the Neon Sign Museum. The bright lights of the signs are what makes Vegas so magical, so what happens to the signs when they are no longer in use? They go to the Neon Sign Museum – and it’s nearly as impressive as the Strip itself.
I loved seeing the ‘old’ Vegas here, bringing history to light – literally – and for the best experience I recommend the illuminated evening tours (from £26) but there are also self-guided daytime options (from £19).
Finally, in dedication to the stars of all the shows, we couldn’t miss a stop at the Show Girl Museum – the home of all the iconic showgirl costumes. But what makes this museum one of a kind? It’s inside Grant Philipo’s house – a former showgirl costume designer. Tickets are $33 each and Grant has nearly 300 mannequins in his home as he led us around the impressive pad, paying homage to the glamour and beauty of Las Vegas.
And if the brunch and dinner performances weren’t enough, we topped the day off by going to watch Jennifer Lopez perform at her residency in The Colosseum theatre – part of Caesar’s Palace Hotel.
You’d think with all that I wouldn’t have found time to have a little flutter on the tables, but this is a 24-hour city – there’s always time to squeeze something else in, if you can just stay awake.
Stays at he Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas start at $189.35 / approx. £142 per night including resort fee and taxes. Stays in the Terrace One Bedroom Suites with Fountain View starts from $246.49 / approx. £185 per night, including resort fee and taxes.
Vegas Views helicopter tour by Maverick Helicopters start at £75 per person, see maverickhelicopter.com
Virgin Atlantic offers daily direct flights to Las Vegas from London Heathrow starting from £512*, and seasonal flights from Manchester Airport. *Prices subject to change.
“Do you have an extra ticket?” a man shouted outside SoFi Stadium last Thursday.
The World Cup has been drawing fans from around the globe. But for many, getting a seat in the stadium has come at a steep price.
Some were lucky enough to nab $400 to $500 tickets through official World Cup lotteries, others paid thousands of dollars to catch the action IRL. Tickets for the upcoming USA versus Turkey match were selling for more than $1,400 on resale sites.
The demand has been so high that authorities have been warning fans about how to avoid ticket scams.
As crowds flocked into the stadium, we asked attendees about how much they paid to get into the most-watched sporting event in the world. Here’s what they shared.
Their responses have been lightly edited for length and clarity.
Luis Moreno, Luis Moreno Jr., Angelica Castellano, Diana Moreno and Ramon Aguilera of Orange County
Luis Moreno, Luis Moreno Jr., Angelica Castellanos, Diana Moreno and Ramon Aguilera sport Mexico gear.
How much did you pay for your tickets?
Diana: We don’t want to say because I don’t want our parents to know.
*Whispers* We paid retail. It was like $500 per ticket. For Father’s Day, we wanted to make sure he got to enjoy it.
Why did you want to attend the World Cup?
Castellano: We went in ‘86 in Mexico, ‘94 in Pasadena and now here. We’re excited because I want to enjoy it with my kids. If we didn’t come, I would’ve been sad because they need to see how it is.
Diana: Now, it’s our turn. Even though [today’s match] is not our country, we still had to come and experience it. We’ll watch our team play later on the big screen.
Did you have to give up anything to be here?
Diana: Work, but that doesn’t matter. This is more important. Time with family.
Luis Jr.: Sleep. [Laughs]
Diana: It’s Thursday. We’re out here watching the game, we’re drinking, so there’s no complaints.
Was it worth it?
Diana: Absolutely. No matter what happens today. The fact that we’re here, it’s already a success.
Tell me about your outfit. You’re rocking Paisaboys, an L.A. brand.
Diana: I got the Paisaboys shirt on, repping. I know they have a collaboration with Nike. I got my Nike shoes on and I’m just ready to have a good time. My mom sewed her top last night. She wanted to add a little touch to it.
Angelica: Yes! This is an old, old, old jacket.
Diana: My dad’s outfit is sponsored by me. All Adidas, Father’s Day gift.
Luis Sr.: I got lucky this year.
Adam Chapman and Sarah Harrell of Washington, D.C.
Adam Chapman and Sarah Harrell.
How much did you pay for tickets?
Harrell: We went to two games: USA versus Paraguay [in Los Angeles] and Senegal versus France in New Jersey/New York.
Chapman: The L.A. tickets were way more expensive. We bought them presale for like $1,940, but the [seats] were still very high in the arena and the resale prices are actually cheaper than the ones we bought on presale. It’s horrible. [Laughs]
Why did you want to come to the World Cup?
Chapman: This is my first men’s World Cup. I went to the women’s World Cup in Australia a couple years ago. The last time the U.S. had a men’s World Cup here was like forever ago. We’re probably not going to have another in our lifetime, so I really wanted to make sure we had a chance to go to some games.
Did you have to give up anything to be here?
Harrell: We’re moving the day we get back, so we were packing until the moment we got here. Some of this gear was last-minute purchasing in order to make that work. Also, we took a six-hour plane ride, middle seats. We really committed to get here. We got cat sitters, we both took days off from work, the whole thing.
Was it worth it?
Chapman: Yeah, just for the experience. It’s more money than we would’ve wanted to pay but yeah.
Harrell: We bought the tickets like a year and a half ago, so it’s been on the calendar forever. We ended up getting to bring my brother and his best friend to celebrate his 40th birthday, so it sort just worked out for all of us.
Cambage: This is my first fútbol game ever. I wanted to come cause it’s L.A. Yay sports! It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Let’s get out there and get into it.
Samimi: I’m born and raised in L.A. so I’m happy to see the World Cup here.
Tell me about your outfit inspiration.
Samimi: I’m wearing Honor the Gift, Russell Westbrook’s brand, a Nike top, my shorts are from a random boutique in L.A. and Jordan shoes.
Cambage: I just went crazy at the Nike store. I’m not gonna lie. We just came from the Nike store. I’m reppin’ USA today. Yes, I am Australian, but I do live in America and USA is AUS. [Laughs]
Kenan Sahbaz of St. Louis and family
Bosnia and Herzegovina fans cheer on their team.
How much did you pay for your ticket?
I got mine directly through the FIFA website. We paid $500 a piece. I brought my son, my cousins and their kids.
Why did you want to attend the World Cup?
Sahbaz: This is our very first World Cup. It’s a historic event for our very small country, Bosnia and Herzegovina. This is a huge accomplishment in the past 12 years. This is going to be the first time we’ve made it here again. We’ve got a really good squad and I think we can do some amazing things for our country. This is a time when we really need some support and joy in the country, and no better way to do it than at the World Cup.
Who’s your favorite player?
Kids: Džeko.
Did you have to give up anything to be here?
Sahbaz: A lot. Work. Time. We were initially going to go on vacation to the Bahamas, but I asked him either the Bahamas or the World Cup. So when we found out that we made it, it was the World Cup. We canceled everything else. We even went to the qualifiers in Wales and that was a once-in-a-lifetime experience as well. There was just no way we were going to miss it.
Was it worth it?
Sahbaz: 100%. Win or lose, we still win today.
Daniel Henriquez and David Njenga of Seattle
David Njenga, left, sports Kenya gear, while Daniel Henriquez cheers for El Salvador.
How much did you pay for your ticket?
Henriquez: This match was $500 each. We bought it in like October of last year.
Why did you want to attend the World Cup?
Njenga: Because this is the World Cup. You have to go to a World Cup. This is my second one. I was in Qatar for the last World Cup.
Henriquez: The energy! World Cup baby!
Njenga: There’s people from all over the world. We are all assembled here to enjoy this moment.
Henriquez: This is what happens when all the world comes together. This is our utopia. We all love each other. We’re all here for one thing, to support our country.
Did you have to give up anything to be here?
Njenga: My job. I have to be at work right now, but I took the day off. I don’t mind.
Henriquez: I’m a nurse for the fire department. My boss was awesome. She gave me a day off. I love my boss Nancy. Go Nancy!
Was it worth it?
Njenga: It is worth every penny. It’s not even the money. It’s the experience. After this, we head to San Francisco for another game.
Henriquez: Then we’re heading to Vancouver and then we have another game in Seattle.
Njenga: We’re going to six games [in total]. Our Houston tickets were the cheapest. They were about $400.
Cindy Vazquez of Grenada Hills
Cindy Vazquez Zavala reps Mexico with her outfit.
How much did you pay for your ticket?
It was free.99. Shh!
Why did you want to come to the World Cup?
This is my first World Cup. The Jordan team invited me to attend this game, so lucky me. That’s why I’m wearing Jordans today. I’m in the industry so they invited a few employees from neighborhood stores to come.
Tell us about your outfit inspiration.
Today there’s a Mexico game, so I still gotta rep even though I’m attending this match [Switzerland versus Bosnia and Herzegovina]. The outfit is a Nike T90 jersey and my lace is from Amazon. I got the little [soccer] ball, the little World Cup and teddy bear from the gas station. I needed it.
Did you have to give up anything to be here?
I actually had to request PTO to attend, but the store is still running without me. Right after this game, I actually have to jet back. I work at Feature, which is a sneaker boutique in Studio City. S/O Feature for allowing me to come here!
Fabian Almiron of Spain
Fabian Almiron, originally from Paraguay but currently living in Spain, rides Metro to the game.
How much did you pay for your ticket?
I paid $1,100 for the first game [June 12], $290 for the Turkey game [June 19] and the last game with Australia was $170 [June 25].
Why did you want to come to the World Cup?
This is my first World Cup. I live in Spain, but I’m rooting for Paraguay. I’m very excited to be seeing them participate after 16 years.
Did you have to give up anything to be here?
I used like 20 to 25 days of vacation time to come see the World Cup.
Was it worth it?
Yes!
Sunny Kwong, Sam Mallari, Antonio Evangelista, Michael Evangelista of San Diego and Los Angeles
Antonio Evangelista, Sam Mallari, Michael Evangelista and Sunny Kwong are decked out in Bosnia and Herzegovina gear.
How much did you pay for your ticket?
Michael: We paid $400 each. We got lucky with the last chance lottery. They released the tickets a few months ago.
Why did you want to attend the World Cup?
Michael: We’re rooting for Bosnia this time. This is our first World Cup.
Antonio: It’s a lifelong dream. I’ve loved the sport ever since I was in the Philippines.
Did you have to give up anything to be here?
Michael: Most of us had the day off. I worked in the morning at like 6 a.m. and then I’m going to work afterward. I really wanted to carve out time to be there.
Mallari: I took time off because this is my first soccer game ever and I wanted to experience the World Cup with true fans.
Was it worth it?
Michael: 100%. It’s honestly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It’s been awesome to be here with my dad. We watched the last World Cup finals and we were literally in tears. I know he’s been playing soccer ever since he was in the Philippines military.
Antonio: 20 years.
Becky Clift of Orange County and William Wagner of San Diego
Colleagues William Wagner and Becky Clift sport traditional festival inspired outfits to cheer on Switzerland.
How much did you pay for your ticket?
Clift: They were gifted to us.
Wagner: We’re a fortunate group.
Why did you want to come to the World Cup?
Clift: The World Cup in America is super fun, so we wanted to support it and be a part of it. This was the game that we got tickets for, so we decided to dress up a little bit and have some fun.
Wagner: We’re both soccer people. We both speak the world’s language, so we’re happy to be a part of it here.
Tell me about your outfit inspiration.
Wagner: I have a very close Swiss friend who was equipped for this. One quick phone call and here I am.
Clift: Then I had to get mine so I could support.
Did you have to give up anything to be here?
Wagner: A full day of work. We’re both engineers. We know each other through work.
Was it worth it?
Wagner: We’ll find out.
Clift: Heck yeah!
Jorge Morales of Topanga
Jorge Morales holds out a ball he got at the World Cup opener in Mexico City.
How much did you pay for tickets?
It was between $800 to $900 for my USA versus Paraguay tickets. I bought them through Seat Geek.
Why did you want to come to the World Cup?
I wanted to experience it not just in Los Angeles, but I also wanted to experience it in Mexico. I’m going to three games in Los Angeles and four in Mexico City. Going to my first World Cup in Mexico City was a whole different ballgame. Mexico played in their home country and they won. It was like pandemonium. Even though it was raining over there at the time, it was still a lot of fun. Everyone was hugging each other. I’m looking at you, New York Knicks fans. [Laughs]
Did you have to give up anything to be here?
I’m used to traveling, so I’m like this ain’t nothing. I just wanted to experience a World Cup game and the fact that it’s in three countries, you’re not going to experience that any other time. It’s the one and only World Cup where you’re going to see three countries hosting it.
Alexi Kulik, Marcella Harkness, Luke Kulik and Ian Harkness of San Diego
Switzerland fans Alexi Kulik, Marcella Harkness, Luke Kulik and Ian Harkness.
How much did you pay for your ticket?
Ian: $450 per ticket.
Alexi: We won the ticket lottery. That’s the only way ‘cause the resale is expensive.
Why did you want to attend the World Cup?
Marcella: This is our first World Cup!
Ian: I was at the Switzerland versus Qatar game. Similar outfit. We got it dialed this time. Lots of fun. Tough ending, but what are you going to do?
Luke: We wanted to support Switzerland. Everyone in the family is Swiss. It’s fun to go to a World Cup game. We were just excited to get tickets. I think it’s a great way for the family to spend time together and a good excuse to get out of work.
Did you have to give up anything to be here?
Luke: Time off work. Time to come here. We drove up here. I don’t think we gave up much. We just enjoy being here.
Ian: $450.
Alexi: And we woke up at 5 a.m., so that we could come up here and spend the day together.
Was it worth it?
All: Yes!
Anja Gegic, Dino Gegic, Benjamin Mustafic, Nordin Kapic, Armin Kapic of Los Angeles
Bosnia and Herzegovina fans Anja Gegic, Dino Gegic, Benjamin Mustafic, Nordin Kapic and Armin Kapic.
How much did you pay for your ticket?
Nordin: $3,000. We’re like literally on the field.
Anja: $450. In L.A., we got it like that.
Why did you want to attend the World Cup?
Anja: This is our second time ever qualifying for the World Cup. We are so proud to be here and support our country today.
Nordin: I mean, look around. Why would you not want to be here today?
Armin: We’re hoping for the win!
All: 2-0!
Bendicht Hügli and Lucia Grajales of Mexico City
Lucia Grajales and Bendicht Hugli, both currently living in Mexico City, hold a Swiss flag.
How much did you pay for your ticket?
Hügli: The ticket was $650. That’s stealing. That’s robbery. When I went in ‘86, I think the tickets were 10% of the price I paid for this year.
Why did you want to attend the World Cup?
Hügli: I had some business in San Diego. I saw Switzerland is going to be here, so let’s hit it and break the bank to get tickets. I went to the World Cup in Mexico City in ’86. I saw 12 games. I’m going to one this time.
Was it worth it?
Hügli: We’ll see. If Switzerland plays lousy, then I’m going to be pissed, but I think they’ll do better than in the first game.
Flavia Sacco and Isidoro Garcia of Washington, D.C.
Flavia Sacco and Isidoro Garcia root for Paraguay.
How much did you pay for your ticket?
Isidoro: I think it was around $500 per ticket. Again, we were very lucky because Paraguay was the first game.
Flavia: It was early bird without knowing who was going to play.
Isidoro: We’re also going to the Paraguay versus Turkey game in San Francisco and the third one in Mexico City.
Why did you want to come to the World Cup?
Flavia: We’re rooting for Paraguay. I’m from Paraguay, born and raised.
Isidoro: This is my second World Cup. I went to the one in Qatar. We were very excited about it. Actually, we were very lucky too because we bought Paraguay’s tickets when they were selling them blank. So we just bought the three tickets for Paraguay before knowing the group stage and then it turned out to be in the U.S., so it was awesome.
Flavia: We were hoping it would be on the East Coast because that’s where we live and it ended up being on the other side of the country, but we already had the tickets and we really wanted to go to a game, so we flew. We’re coming straight from the airport. We have our 5-month-old baby who is at the hotel with my mom.
Did you have to give up anything to be here?
Isidoro: I guess time with our daughter. Even though it’s only going to be a few hours, we miss her a lot. She’s very tiny. Every [moment] is precious with her.
Was it worth it?
Isidoro: Yes, even though it’s a few hours and hopefully Paraguay will pull it off.
Jorge Espinosa of Los Angeles
Jorge Espinosa of Los Angeles.
How much did you pay for tickets?
For the USA versus Paraguay ticket, I think I paid like $1,800, and for another match, I think I paid about $1,020, so a little less. I think that’s when the prices started to go down.
Why did you want to come to the World Cup?
I’ve always wanted to go. I missed my chance to go to Brazil in 2014. I really wanted to go, but I had just taken a huge trip to Asia, so I couldn’t really go. I didn’t have any money left and I’ve been thinking about the World Cup being here since it was awarded to the U.S. I was really bummed out when it was awarded to Qatar instead of the U.S. and also instead of Australia. I’m really excited about it. It feels unreal.
What does it mean for the World Cup to be in your hometown?
It means so much. I remember when they had it here in ‘94. I didn’t get a chance to go to any of the games, but the energy that you feel around the city is like next level. The events they’ve been hosting are so awesome. You get to meet more people from other walks of life and other countries.
Did you have to give up anything to be here?
I just pretty much had to pick up more debt, but I get points so it’ll help fly somewhere. Also, debt disappears when you die so they can try coming after me for that World Cup money, but they never will. [Laughs]
Was it worth it?
I looked at the price and was like, “It’ll never be this cheap in my life, ever.” It’s only ever going to go up, and, hey, it’s in my backyard.
Sipping coffee in a grand square at one of Europe’s oldest cafe’s, Lucy Williamson discovers a Mediterranean escape that manages to be a city break, beach holiday, and history lesson all at once
09:30, 17 Jun 2026Updated 09:30, 17 Jun 2026
Malta: The Ultimate Lazy Traveler’s Weekend Guide
A spa day in the UK can easily set you back £150 before you’ve even ordered lunch. So when I found myself sipping coffee in a grand Maltese square at one of Europe’s oldest cafes, watching the morning sun bounce off honey-coloured limestone buildings after a £40 flight from London, I couldn’t help feeling I’d stumbled across one of Europe’s best-value city breaks.
Malta has long been a favourite with British travellers. Yet somehow it still feels slightly overlooked when conversations turn to weekend escapes. People talk about Lisbon, Barcelona and Rome. Meanwhile, sitting in the middle of the Mediterranean, Malta quietly enjoys more than 300 days of sunshine a year; making it one of the sunniest in Europe.
I spent three days there for a spontaneous solo trip and quickly realised Malta has cracked something many destinations haven’t. It manages to be a city break, a beach break and a history lesson all at once, without requiring military-grade holiday planning.
The first thing working in Malta’s favour is its size. This is not a destination where you’ll spend half your holiday staring at Google Maps, wondering whether the slightly disappointing mural is really worth a 45-minute metro journey and an existential crisis in the heat. Most places are close together. The capital city, Valletta, is wonderfully walkable.
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Things to do
If you stay in neighbouring Sliema, as I did at the Preluna Hotel (about £200 for two nights, includes its own beach club) accommodation is often cheaper than inside the capital itself. And the short ferry across to Valetta costs just a few euros. It glides over the water toward a city that looks like an enormous sandcastle built by a giant child who grew up to become an architect.
Many of the highlights cost nothing. The Upper Barrakka Gardens offer some of the finest views in the Mediterranean. Down below, crowds gather for the Saluting Battery (every day at 12pm and 4pm) where cannons are still fired in a tradition dating back centuries. Men in historical uniforms are responsible for the blasts which are to let everyone know what time it is. I loved it, but it seems an incredibly loud and dramatic alternative to just looking at your phone.
Jokes aside, it is an impressive tradition, although you only need to forget it’s happening once to understand why locals still flinch.
You also cannot miss the staggering Baroque interior of St John’s Co-Cathedral (€15 for adults) a church so violently covered in 24-carat gold leaf that it looks like the inside of a divine Ferrero Rocher.
Elsewhere, the city’s streets themselves do much of the heavy lifting. Ornate balconies lean over narrow lanes while laundry flutters overhead on washing lines. It is a deeply moving reminder that even though Valletta was built by the Knights of St John to defend European civilization from the Ottoman Empire, your romantic view of a historic fortress city is occasionally interrupted by a pair of massive beige knickers blowing in the wind.
Locals treat the sea like a public swimming pool that happens to have excellent views. Rocky platforms replace sand. Towels appear. People jump straight into the Mediterranean without the usual British negotiation involving sunbeds, parasols and passive aggressive towel placement.
No one seems to be running a system. It works anyway.
British nostalgia with better weather
Malta occasionally feels like Britain left something behind and never quite bothered to come back for it.
The island was part of the British Empire for more than 150 years, and the influence is still visible in ways that feel slightly surreal. English is an official language. Red phone boxes still stand in corners like they are waiting for a call that will never come.
I wandered into the local branch of Marks and Spencer to check on the progress of British civilization. I can confirm they did not have any picky bits in the Malta store; the traditional British tapas. But they did have tinnies – the traditional fuel for a British explorer. A Monsoon sits nearby. Even a copy of that day’s Daily Mirror at the local newsagent’s.
Where to eat
That blend of influences extends to the food scene. Malta borrows happily from Italy, North Africa and Britain, creating a character all of its own.
One street that perfectly captures the atmosphere is St Lucia Street. By day, it’s an attractive stepped lane. By night, it transforms into one of Valletta’s most buzzy dining spots, with tables cascading down the stone steps like a very tasty avalanche. I spent my second evening at Taste nursing an Aperol Spritz and a plate of rigatoni, which seemed to accidentally on purpose precede a huge tiramisu (€25 bill).
One of Europe’s oldest cafes
For a deeper glimpse into Malta’s past, I found myself at Caffe Cordina, one of Europe’s oldest cafés and one of Valletta’s most enduring institutions.
You will have to resist the temptation to just wander into the air-conditioned void of Starbucks just down the road for some whipped cream and regret. Keep walking, because you will be rewarded with an establishment that has spent nearly two centuries serving Maltese society.
The family’s story began in 1837, when their ancestors arrived from Italy and sold nougat from a donkey cart. They eventually opened a small shop that was destroyed by a German bomb during the Second World War. Yet, as the current owner, Luca Cordina, told me, that bomb was ironically “the best thing that ever happened to us”. It forced his grandfather, Cesare, to take out a bank loan, pivot, and establish the café in its current Valletta location in 1944.
It was a massive gamble. “My grandfather’s friends actually questioned him about the decision, calling him crazy,” Luca explained, noting that the bustling square we see today was little more than a garden at the time. But Cesare believed in the location when very few people did. His response to the doubters was simple: “When the sun rises, it warms everyone”.
That warmth has since attracted a staggering mix of patrons, hosting everyone from Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles to the 1984 Italian national football team. The café inspires just as much loyalty from its staff as its customers, with one employee noted to still be working the floor at 76 years old.
I had a coffee and a traditional ricotta pastizzi (€5.70 bill) and watched the world go by – stunning.
‘The Silent City’
My other favourite lunch spot was in Mdina, the former capital and one of the most atmospheric places on the island.
Game of Thrones fans will recognise parts of it immediately. Everyone else will spend the visit walking past groups who are absolutely certain they are standing exactly where something important happened and are more than willing to explain it in detail whether you asked or not.
It is known as the Silent City because it is incredibly quiet, which is a nice change from London, where the soundtrack is the incessant beeping of a stolen Lime bike.
That wonderful silence was much enjoyed on the roof terrace of the family-run cafe – Fontanella Tea Garden – which is built into the city wall and offers one of the best panoramic views around (Pizza + coffee came to €19).
Mdina is completely enclosed within ancient walls to stop medieval enemies from entering, though it seems they let any old person in these days – especially if you are wearing shorts and carrying a bottle of Fanta Lemon.
The verdict
Three days felt about right. Long enough to see Valletta, Mdina and the coastline without rushing. Short enough that it never drifted into routine. May was an ideal time to go – still warm, not baking, and a little quieter.
Malta works best for couples or solo travellers (like me on this occasion!) who like variety without effort. You get history, sea swims, good food and a walkable city without needing to plan your day around transport logistics or opening times.
Flights from London can be found for around £40 one way. I flew from Luton and returned to Gatwick using Avios points via British Airways, which made the trip back feel particularly smug.
By the time I got home, I’d spent less than many people pay for a day wrapped in a fluffy robe somewhere in the Home Counties.
The cost
Flight from London to Malta (one-way): £40
Preluna Hotel, Sliema (2 nights): £200
St John’s Co-Cathedral entry: €15
Dinner at Taste (Aperol Spritz, rigatoni, tiramisu): €25
Coffee and ricotta pastizzi at Caffe Cordina: €5.70
Pizza and coffee at Fontanella Tea Garden: €19
Sliema–Valletta ferry: €5
Return flight: Not included (paid using Avios points via British Airways) – would have been about £80
KATIE Price’s “missing” conman husband Lee Andrews may have lied to her about being detained by copying the real-life ordeal of another Brit, The Sun can reveal.
Lee told wife Katie he was bundled into a van and taken to a ‘black site’Credit: InstagramHis story is eerily similar to that of the real-life hell millionaire Albert suffered in 2019Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
The Dubai-based swindler, 43, also told Katie, 48, that he was being taken to a “black site” – a hidden state-run detention facility – on May 13, and they have not spoken since.
Millionaire Albert, who lived in Dubai, was arrested for financial fraud in 2019 over a bounced cheque related to his son Wolfgang’s collapsed wooden flooring business, despite having no involvement in the firm.
He was bailed but subjected to a travel ban, and then given a three-year sentence and a £2.5million fine after a court found him liable, with Wolfgang back home in the UK.
Katie has been left dumbfounded after being ghosted by her husband despite proof he’s been active on social mediaCredit: Louis Wood News Group Newspapers LtdThe couple married in January after a whirlwind romanceCredit: Instagram
After failing in an appeal, Albert tried to flee the country in 2021. His son paid smugglers £20,000 to sneak him across the United Arab Emirates-Oman border at Al Ain in Abu Dhabi.
But soldiers caught dad-of-four Albert, pointing their guns at him, hooding him, and putting him in a van.
They then took him to an unknown location and held him in a dirty cell where he was stripped and beaten for days.
Katie yesterday slammed claims made by Lee’s dad that he’s being held in a Dubai jailCredit: Click Media / SplashNews.comLee returned to social media on Friday to follow a mysterious ‘biker babe’ but failed to acknowledge Katie’s birthdayCredit: Instagram
He was finally released last December, following an intervention from the United Nations and pressure from advocacy groups including Detained In Dubai.
After his release, he told this newspaper: “It was like a nightmare with no end.”
Sources in Dubai raised eyebrows after reading the story Andrews fed Katie.
One highly-respected businessman, who has mutual friends with Andrews, told The Sun: “Lee is the type of person to read a story and then imagine it into reality.
“There are lots of similarities between their stories.
“Lee could easily have made this all up based on Albert’s story, as it’s been in the UK press recently, and just be hiding out.”
He said: “He has not been kidnapped, but he is under arrest. I don’t know on what charge.
“I’m not sure where he is being held. But he will call me later today. He is not at my house.”
But hours later, mum-of-five Katie dismissed this as “fake news” and insisted that he has not been nicked.
And Dubai’s Criminal Investigation Department could not find a record of his arrest when we made inquiries.
Katie said: “I have spoken to the Dubai police and he definitely isn’t in jail. “They still don’t know where he is. It is all really confusing and we just need to find Lee.
“I have spoken to his dad. It isn’t true. I don’t know where my husband is.” Katie wed Andrews in January, just days after meeting him through social media.
He had claimed to be a multimillionaire businessman – but some of his ex-girlfriends accused him of swindling them out of vast sums of cash. One of them, Crystal Janke, said she handed him £123,000 to invest and he promised to turn it into £1million.
Andrews was also exposed for lying about having a PhD from Cambridge University and working for The King’s Trust and the Labour Party.
He also posted AI-generated images online of himself with celebrities including American reality star Kim Kardashian and Tesla billionaire Elon Musk.
He is said to be the subject of multiple arrest warrants – including for fraud.
HONG KONG — As President Trump left Beijing on Friday, Chinese social media resurfaced a familiar nickname for the president — flattering at first glance — declaring that Chuan Jianguo, the “Nation Builder,” had returned.
It was not meant as a compliment. The nation he is building, according to the Chinese, is not the United States but their own, through a series of inadvertent yet costly mistakes inflicted by Trump at home and abroad.
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If the Chinese government was self-assured entering Trump’s summit with Xi Jinping, then the results of the state visit, in which Beijing refused to offer Trump any meaningful deals or concessions, signal their unmistakable confidence in American decline.
Chinese government statements in local media stating as much made their way back to Trump as he was departing, aggravating the president, a U.S. official said. But the White House secured a clarification from the Chinese that seemed to placate Trump. America was only declining under President Biden, they said — not anymore.
President Trump and President Xi Jinping tour Zhongnanhai Garden on Friday in Beijing.
(Evan Vucci / Pool via Getty Images)
The Trump administration argues the trip was a success, having secured the display of conciliation and partnership the president had sought after years of increasingly dangerous acrimony.
Foreign policy hawks on China will be displeased with his new direction of friendship and cooperation with a government they view as openly hostile to the United States. But Trump seems to have reached a similar conclusion as past administrations, that China might require a relationship in pursuit of, as Xi put it, “constructive strategic stability.”
Trump was notably out of character throughout his stay here, deferential to his host, marveling at displays of Chinese power and reticent to speak with the press.
Five times over two days, Trump referred to Xi as his friend, taking every public opportunity to offer his compliments and pats on the back. None of it was reciprocated. The Chinese leader, Trump told Fox News in an interview, was “all business” in private, as well, apparently uninterested in his overtures of personal goodwill.
Presidents Xi and Trump tour Zhongnanhai Garden on Friday.
(Evan Vucci—Pool/Getty Images)
The summit may ultimately be remembered as the moment when Trump recognized a shifting power dynamic, where an American president had the rare and uncomfortable experience of entering a meeting clearly overmatched.
“I think the most important thing is relationship,” Trump said in the interview, describing the summit as “historic.”
“It’s all about relationship,” he added. “I have a very good relationship with President Xi.”
Taiwan was discussed ‘the whole night’
Little of substance was accomplished over two days of talks. But Chinese officials expected no less after warning Trump’s team before the summit that its minimal preparation had failed to lay the groundwork for diplomatic agreements.
Still, the lack of breakthroughs may come as a relief to some in Washington. Trump appears to have held to a long-standing U.S. line on Taiwan, for now, refusing to provide Xi with clarity on whether the United States would defend the self-ruled island if China tries to reclaim it by force.
The two men discussed the matter “the whole night,” Trump told Fox.
If China attacked, “they would be met harshly, and bad things will happen,” Trump said. Yet within the same answer, he questioned Taiwan’s “odds” against China if war were to break out, even with U.S. help, noting its proximity to the Chinese mainland and its vast distance away from the United States.
Whether Trump will proceed with arms sales to Taiwan — passed by Congress and obligated by law under the Taiwan Relations Act — is still an open question.
“If you kept it the way it is, I think China is going to be OK with that,” Trump said, referencing an ambiguous status quo around Taiwan’s status, “but we’re not looking to have somebody say, ‘Let’s go independent because the United States is backing us.’ ”
“Taiwan would be very smart to cool it a little bit,” he added. “China would be smart to cool it a little bit. They ought to both cool it.”
President Trump departs as President Xi looks on after a visit to Zhongnanhai Garden on Friday.
(Evan Vucci/ Pool via Getty Images)
Curious company
Trump’s choice of company in the U.S. delegation left the Chinese with questions over the purpose of the trip.
Lara Trump, a Fox News host and the president’s daughter-in-law, attended alongside her husband, Eric Trump, whose presence as a private citizen running the Trump Organization was a direct appeal to Beijing to treat the administration like a family business. Brett Ratner, director of the “Rush Hour” series and a documentary on the first lady that bombed at the box office, was given prime placement along with America’s top business leaders.
The last time a secretary of Defense attended a presidential state visit to China was on Richard Nixon’s famous trip in 1972. Chinese officials were unsure what to make of Pete Hegseth’s presence — whether it was meant to convey a softer stance, a hardening one, or simply an ignorance of basic diplomatic protocol.
Trump said he felt personally honored by the lavish welcome he received on the edge of Tiananmen Square, outside the Great Hall of the People, where China hosts all visiting dignitaries.
Before a lunch at Zhongnanhai, the secretive headquarters of the Chinese Communist Party, Trump asked Xi if he was special for getting to visit the compound. He was the fourth U.S. president to do so.
While the Trump administration offered itself glowing reviews of the outcome of the summit, the Chinese government offered little to say as he departed. And Chinese media highlighted Beijing’s resolute stance on American priorities — from trade to the Iran war — as evidence of Chinese confidence and American decline.
But all that business wasn’t the point of the trip, Trump told Fox’s Bret Baier. For the president, it was all personal.
“I want to thank President Xi, my friend, for this magnificent welcome,” Trump said in his toast at the state banquet, repeating the personal overture. “The American and Chinese people share much in common. We value hard work. We value courage and achievement. We love our families and we love our countries.
“Together, we have the chance to draw on these values to create a future of greater prosperity, cooperation and happiness and peace for our children,” Trump added. “We love our children. This region and the world — it’s a special world, with the two of us united and together.”
UK couple Mike Lucas and Emily Gillingham have been travelling around New Zealand and Australia for the past four years
08:52, 17 May 2026Updated 08:53, 17 May 2026
Mike Lucas and Emily Gillingham(Image: Mike Lucas/SWNS)
A British couple have revealed how they slashed £20,000 from hotel costs while travelling.
Mike Lucas, 33, and his partner Emily Gillingham, 32, have spent the last four years discovering New Zealand and Australia, barely spending anything on accommodation. To achieve this, the resourceful pair house-sat for people – occasionally for months on end – which meant they avoided paying for hotels and Airbnbs.
They utilised the platform Trusted House Sitters, a site where property and pet owners seek individuals to care for their homes and animals while they’re away. The duo, originally from Edinburgh in Scotland and Southwell, Nottinghamshire, resided in 13 properties across both nations during their initial 18-month journey and still rely on the service for weekend getaways.
Mike said: “It was a game-changer for us because when we first arrived in New Zealand, we didn’t know how long we were going to stay. It allowed us to maximise our budget and made our travels more fruitful, fun and sustainable.
“We have looked after all kinds of pets, including dogs, cats and chickens. It also made the country feel more accessible and slowed down the pace of travel. You see and do things you wouldn’t if you were to stay in a hotel.”
The pair have been house-sitting since November 2022, when they first touched down in New Zealand after leaving their well-paid positions as a client accountant and research director. They discovered the website Trusted House Sitters through Emily’s parents, who rely on the service to ensure their dog, Monty, is well cared for whenever they head away.
Mike said: “We had a strict budget and were looking at ways to save money so we could make it last as long as possible and extend our stay.”
Mike explained that they got in touch with a dog owner on the website and, as luck would have it, the couple agreed to let them stay in their two-bed detached house in Waikanae, north of Wellington, for three weeks over the Christmas period – provided they looked after their two-year-old Boxer-cross.
The keen traveller said: “How it works is you have to send a cover letter, almost like a job application saying why you would be a good fit for the house and giving a little bit of detail about yourself. The owner will then read it and reach out to you if they are interested.
“For this particular house, they asked if we could jump on a video call so they could meet us. Then the day before they left for America, we stayed over at the house with them, and they talked us through the dogs’ routine and if there was anything we needed to know about the property. And that was it, they gave us the keys, and we were left with this lovely house.”
From there, the pair ventured across the country, taking in Auckland and Tauranga — spending a remarkable three months in the beach suburb of Sumner, in Christchurch. Throughout the journey, the couple enjoyed free accommodation for 328 days and, according to Mike, this saved them roughly £20,000 compared to what they would have spent on one-bed Airbnbs over the same period.
They continue house-sitting to this day, having since relocated to Melbourne, Australia, where they rent a flat, yet still take on pet-sitting arrangements to explore the country during weekend getaways. The couple also revealed the experience helped them identify what their “ideal” home would look like, drawing small touches of inspiration from every property they stayed in.
They also make use of house-sitting when heading back to the UK to see family. Though Mike stresses that living in somebody else’s home is nothing like a hotel or Airbnb — you must treat it with “respect”.
He said: “It isn’t the same as a hotel, as it is someone’s personal living space. I have heard some horror stories from previous people we have stayed with, as I guess some people forget that boundary.
“They are putting a lot of trust in you to look after their pet and home. Luckily nothing has ever gone wrong in the houses we have stayed in – the worst we have done is break a glass, but we just told them and made sure to replace it. In the days before we leave, we always give the house a deep clean, leaving it spotless for the owner.”
When they couldn’t find a new property to move into once their stay had come to an end, Mike explained they would crash in Airbnbs, camp, or bunk down in hostels until they secured a new sit that fitted their schedule. Mike acknowledged that landing stays can be tough at times, noting that you’re up against at least three other applicants, with even stiffer competition depending on the location or the appeal of the property.
He said: “A key part is balancing timing and detail. The earlier you are to apply, the higher the chance you’ll have of securing the sit.
“However, tailoring the application to the individual is equally as important to stand out from the crowd. I couldn’t recommend it enough.
“At some of the houses we stayed at for over a month we felt we became part of the community and got to know people. We have also stayed friends with a number of the people we house-sat for and they now come to us and ask if we can come back to sit again, which is really nice.”
Looking ahead, the couple say they hope to travel around Europe, America and beyond using the platform.
The West Highland Line has been named the world’s most beautiful railway, but does Scotland’s iconic 164-mile train journey truly live up to the hype? I boarded the train through the Scottish Highlands to find out.
The West Highland Line has it all (Image: Gordie Broon Photography via Getty Images)
“I think this is the most beautiful train line I’ve ever been on.”
Those words genuinely escaped my mouth as my wife and I rattled through the Scottish Highlands, skirting the edges of glistening lochs, weaving between ancient mountains, and crossing hauntingly stark yet stunning moorland.
“You’ve been on it before,” she kindly reminded me. Thankfully, my tendency to experience something and then completely forget about it doesn’t diminish its beauty one bit.
The legendary West Highland Line departs Glasgow and plunges deep into the west coast, steaming alongside the Clyde to Helensburgh, before heading north via Garelochhead and Loch Long towards either Oban or Mallaig. Shortly after escaping Scotland’s largest city, the undulating, wind turbine-topped hills begin to swell as the Highlands draw near.
The railway carries you northward along the coastline, passing through the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. At Crianlarich, the track divides, continuing either past Loch Awe towards Oban, or climbing high up to Rannoch Moor.
The line traverses the moorland for 23 miles, ascending to over 400 metres and offering unrivalled vistas of one of Europe’s last remaining wild places: an enormous expanse of blanket bog, lochans, rivers, and rocky outcrops where curlews, grouse, roe deer, and red deer roam freely.
The Moor captured near-national fascination during the Victorian period, when initial fear and mild disgust at its wild and forbidding character transformed into devotion. Among the early travellers were the poet William Wordsworth and his sister Dorothy, who visited in 1803 and tentatively described the place as “desolate and extensively wild”.
Just seven years later, Scotland’s greatest champion, Sir Walter Scott, published his celebrated poem The Lady of the Lake. The work showcased Loch Katrine in the Trossachs, south of Rannoch Moor, thrusting it into the spotlight. Inspired visitors descended on the region to witness how “Summer dawn’s reflected hue to purple changed Loch Katrine blue” for themselves.
Travelling north to the Highlands and back again a few days later, we experienced both faces of this remarkable landscape. During our night journey, the glens and Munros loomed against the train window, making our tiny illuminated carriage feel insignificant as it rattled along. On the bright, sunny return trip, the breathtaking vistas — sparkling lochs nestled beneath sheer mountains capped with lush greenery — felt more reminiscent of Switzerland or Austria than bonny Scotland.
Without doubt, the most iconic spot along the route is the Glenfinnan Viaduct, immortalised in the Harry Potter films as the path of the Hogwarts Express. Passengers cross this magnificent structure en route to Mallaig, the terminus of the 164-mile line.
However, spending an afternoon at the viaduct may be worth reconsidering. During my visit, a persistent drizzle dampened the spirits of the crowds of Potter enthusiasts, many of whom appeared rather deflated by what was on offer: two pipers playing sombrely and some railway infrastructure. Add to that the fact that the locals of the 100-person village are fed up with the crowds, and the choice to give it a miss seems straightforward.
Mallaig is a far superior option, boasting excellent whale-watching excursions that provide frequent sightings of the cheerful minke pods inhabiting the waters.
There are numerous other attractions to discover along the route.
Corrour, Britain’s highest-altitude railway station, draws Trainspotting enthusiasts due to its prominent appearance in the film. It is equally picturesque and captivating. There are no roads here, so visitors head directly onto the walking trails via a quick meal at the Corrour Station House.
Another gem is Tyndrum. This former mining settlement is now the smallest location in Britain to boast two railway stations. They enable travellers to branch off, climbing steeply up the glen towards the north or west.
For me, the town marks the final stop in the Lowlands, the spot where you pause before heading across the Moor and into the mountains. Such adventures require fuelling up on fish and chips or curry at the superb Green Welly Boot Stop while watching its wonderful collection of birds.
The West Highland Line is far more than just a train journey. Step aboard and you’ll find yourself rubbing shoulders with forestry workers heading to work, mountain bikers, walkers, local schoolchildren, and railway enthusiasts eager to discover whether a route once crowned the world’s most beautiful truly lives up to its reputation. It’s a living tapestry of Scotland at its finest: mountains, moorland, lochs, wildlife, and history, all rolling out before you at a gloriously unhurried pace.
Environmentalists had something in their arsenal for Tuesday’s election they never did before: a billionaire benefactor willing to empty his pockets of tens of millions of dollars to bring climate change to the forefront of political debate and elect candidates committed to fighting global warming.
But California hedge fund titan Tom Steyer’s $74-million bet — most of it from his own wallet — yielded little payoff. On Tuesday, voters elected the most hostile Congress environmentalists have faced in years.
The Republicans who won control are already making plans to roll back President Obama’s signature emission reduction efforts, green-light the controversial Keystone XL pipeline that would transport Canadian tar sands oil to the U.S. Gulf Coast, and cancel subsidies for renewable energy.
Steyer says he has no regrets.
“I feel great,” he said by phone from his organization’s San Francisco office. “We set out to put climate on the ballot in a bunch of states, to build an organization and to build a relationship with a bunch of voters.”
He argued that all of that happened, pointing to hundreds of thousands of climate-minded voters newly enlisted in his organization, NextGen Climate, the emergence of global warming in the debate in several races, and the retreat by various GOP candidates from a platform of outright denial of climate science.
He chalked up Tuesday’s results to “that part of the world we don’t control.” Steyer said there was no approach that would have overcome the Republican tide that gave the party control of Congress and defeated several of the candidates NextGen backed.
But the election results raise new questions about the approach deep-pocketed, green-minded donors are taking toward electoral politics. Despite their best efforts, and the huge amount of money invested, they are failing to get voters to set aside other concerns and cast their ballots on environmental issues. This time out, the president’s record and the economy were the forefront issues, with all others receding.
“The take-away here is this was not a successful strategy,” said Josh Freed, vice president for clean energy at Third Way, a group that seeks a middle path between the two warring parties. “Candidate positions on climate do not move the overwhelming majority of voters to pull the lever for or against them. I hope these organizations take a step back and come up with a different approach.”
Steyer’s group saw its candidates victorious in U.S. Senate races in Michigan and New Hampshire, and in state legislative races, including in Oregon. But candidates they backed lost in hotly contested Senate races in Colorado and Iowa. NextGen also failed to unseat the governors of Florida and Maine, targeted by the organization for their outspoken skepticism of climate science.
The unpopular GOP governor of Pennsylvania, Tom Corbett, which Steyer’s group campaigned against, lost. But even in that race — won by NextGen’s candidate, Democrat Tom Wolf — global warming hardly was a factor, according to G. Terry Madonna, who directs the Franklin & Marshall College Poll in Lancaster.
Steyer’s impact was “Zero. None. Zero,” he said. Climate change “was not an issue at all. It has literally no salience with voters. It didn’t ever come up.”
University of New Hampshire pollster Andrew Smith said much the same with regard to the Senate race in his state, which Democratic incumbent Jeanne Shaheen won. “I don’t think anybody paid any attention to global warming this election,” he said.
In part that is because much of Steyer’s money was spent airing ads on issues his organization thought were more likely to turn out the Democratic faithful. But that too sometimes backfired.
In Colorado, independent pollster Floyd Ciruli suggested Steyer’s heavy TV advertising, which seized on a Democratic theme emphasizing abortion rights, may have actually hurt Democratic Sen. Mark Udall, who lost to GOP Rep. Cory Gardner.
“It was probably a net negative,” Ciruli said. “It turned out to be one of those things that threw Udall on the defensive. He was being parodied and mocked for it and criticized for it.”
Even Steyer’s strategists acknowledge that climate change is not a top-tier issue now. The question is whether it ever will be. Advocates such as Freed say the push seems to be futile, and well-funded green political groups should shift their strategy to more narrowly focused efforts with bipartisan appeal. They might start, he said, by being more open to such GOP-favored options as nuclear energy.
The green campaign efforts instead focus on getting Congress back to where it was in 2010, when it almost passed a California-style law that would have capped greenhouse gas emissions nationwide.
NextGen officials say they are confident in their strategy — and persistent. “This is a multi-cycle effort,” said Chris Lehane, Steyer’s lead political strategist. “If it was easy, it already would have been done…. Social change like this is not like switching on a light bulb.”
The GOP takeover of the Senate occurs as the science of climate change has grown more definitive and the predictions of widespread effects more detailed and dire. On Sunday, a panel of hundreds of climate scientists convened by the United Nations warned that climate change driven by the burning of fossil fuels was already affecting life on every continent and in the oceans and that the window was closing rapidly for governments to avert the worst damage expected later this century.
Yet skepticism of climate science remains Republican orthodoxy. North Carolina Sen.-elect Thom Tillis said in a primary debate that climate change is not “a fact.” Sen. James M. Inhofe of Oklahoma, who is expected to take the helm of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, has called climate change “the greatest hoax ever perpetrated on the American people” and dismissed the U.N. science panel “as a front for the environmental left.”
Obama moved to cut greenhouse gas emissions by issuing new rules for power plants and the nation’s vehicle fleet. The GOP-run Congress will not be able to nix the rules outright. But it could so thoroughly weaken or delay them through riders to key legislation that they’d be rendered ineffective, analysts said. Deeper cuts to the nation’s emissions would probably require congressional action, and the current GOP position on climate change makes such action improbable.
Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune acknowledged there was a “copious amount of bad news” in Tuesday’s election. But he says there was “significant good news” as well.
“Candidates who formerly denied climate science are now saying they are not scientists and instead talk about clean energy and associate themselves with it,” he said.
“The money from Tom Steyer made a difference in elevating climate science and pushing all these lawmakers to move off a denial platform,” Brune said.
