Orlando Bloom and Swiss model Luisa Laemmel were snapped last month leaving the Super BowlCredit: BackGridLuisa has worked for Calvin Klein, Maybelline and YSL BeautyCredit: InstagramOrlando and US pop star Katy split last year after nine yearsCredit: Splash
Last week the couple enjoyed a mini-reak in Switzerland, along with Orlando’s pet dog, and the Brit is believed to have met some of Luisa’s pals and family.
They stayed in a luxury suite at the Dolder Grand in Zurich, where rooms cost up to £13,700 per night, as dad-of-two Orlando took part in a promotional event for Porsche.
They then spent the weekend at the five-star Bürgenstock on Lake Lucerne.
A source said: “Orlando and Luisa have been quietly seeing each other for several months.
“They’ve become a proper little family unit and Orlando even flew his teacup poodle Biggie Smalls over for the trip. He is based in Los Angeles while she’s in New York, so they don’t get to see each other all the time. But they’re constantly in touch and there’s a real spark.”
The couple were first linked last month when they were seen leaving the Super Bowl arm-in-arm at Santa Clara, California.
Luisa has a degree in psychology and has worked for Calvin Klein, Maybelline and YSL Beauty.
The travel expert previously shared his recommendations for a gorgeous yet affordable European summer holiday, and one place is well worth a visit.
Andrea Blazquez Editor of Spare Time and Nicola Roy Multimedia content creator
03:01, 21 Mar 2026
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The gorgeous European gem is cheap too(Image: Getty)
If you’re still to book your holiday for 2026, Simon Calder is on hand to help with suggestions on where to go. The travel expert has previously spoken out about his favourite affordable spots to take a trip, and they’re all gorgeous too.
Simon highlighted Portugal, Bulgaria, Montenegro and Albania as some of the most stunning yet affordable holiday destinations. He said: “In Western Europe, it has to be Portugal and in Eastern Europe, Bulgaria – obviously a very popular package holiday destination.”
In fact, according to research in 2023 by holiday specialists Jersey Island Holidays, Montenegro topped the charts as Europe’s most affordable destination, reports the Express. Although this was a few years ago, the destination still remains very affordable.
For example, Brits can secure a seven-night break in an all-inclusive four-star resort in Herceg Novi next month for £419pp, including flights, according to Love Holidays.
The Iberostar Waves Slavija hotel, which is right by the beach, will only set you back £409 for seven nights — excellent value for money.
It’s cheap when you’re actually there too. According to Cost of Living, the average price of a beer in Montenegro is €2.50, which is around £2.15.
The average pizza costs €12, whereas pasta and meat dishes come in at around €15, according to Porto Montenegro. Flights in April start at just £16 one-way from Gatwick Airport.
But Simon Calder isn’t the only one singing the praises of this holiday destination, as travel bloggers at Wander-lush crowned Montenegro Europe’s most “underrated nation”.
Kotor Bay stands out as one of Montenegro’s most spectacular locations, and conveniently for tourists, the nearest city and airport is Podgorica.
The experts highlighted that whilst Kotor ranks among the most striking towns on Kotor Bay, if they “had to choose the most beautiful place in Montenegro overall, it would be the harbour town of Perast”.
Travel experts at Starsinsider agreed, declaring that Montenegro “is the most underrated jewel of the Mediterranean”.
In Podgorica, one of the top attractions is Saborni Hram Hristovog Vaskrsenja, a “beautiful and very impressive” church that’s “absolutely worth visiting”, according to some travellers on Tripadvisor.
Kotor Bay has earned praise on the platform as “the best coastal road in the world” and a “beautiful and peaceful” destination for a getaway.
“We fell in love with Montenegro. The water is so clear, the mountains come down to the water, and it’s stunning scenery.
“That said, what I love about it is that it’s so unspoiled. I sure hope it can stay that way. So peaceful and lovely,” one person shared in a review.
A travel vlogger visited a stunning island nation in Southern Europe with a historic capital city he described as “one of the most beautiful places” he’s ever seen
A vlogger enjoyed a trip to a “beautiful” English-speaking island nation(Image: Getty Images)
A vlogger who enjoyed a trip to an English-speaking island boasting 20C warmth in April has hailed it as “one of the most beautiful places” he’s ever been to. Alex Daltz, a YouTuber on a quest to chronicle his worldwide travels “one vlog at a time”, recently visited a spectacular European nation merely three hours from the UK.
Starting off, Alex pointed his camera towards the stunning panorama from his hotel room balcony, featuring undulating hills and a peaceful expanse of water in the distance, set against brilliant sunshine and clear blue skies.
Switching to a street view, Alex disclosed he was in the ancient capital of Malta, the 16th-century city of Valletta. An island nation in Southern Europe, Malta is positioned south of Sicily in the Mediterranean Sea and north of the north African coastal country of Libya.
SkyScanner reports that the average flight duration from the UK is 3 hours and 16 minutes, with prices beginning at just £29 at the time of writing. TUI suggests travelling between April and October, with April temperatures varying from 15 to 20°C.
A fortified city and UNESCO World Heritage site, Valletta was designated Europe’s Capital of Culture for 2018. Alex swiftly highlighted the city’s cultural appeal, evidently captivated by its characteristic Baroque architecture.
Indeed, he described the capital as “beautiful” with a “chilled out touristy vibe”. He said: “We have just made it to Valletta. One of the most beautiful places I think I’ve ever been because it’s so, so medieval, the whole place.”
Alex added: “It’s literally like you’re walking through the 1500s. I already get like a chilled out touristy vibe already, and I’ve been here like five minutes.”
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Venturing out to find water, Alex could be spotted outside St. John’s Co-Cathedral, a landmark that houses two masterpieces by the renowned Italian painter, Caravaggio, The Beheading of St John the Baptist and St Jerome Writing.
Alex displayed the bustling Valletta streets and subsequently found himself near Fort St Elmo – constructed in the Early Modern period – and the National War Museum, which provides visitors with 7,000 years of Maltese military history.
Among the museum’s highlights are the Gloster Sea Gladiator N5520 FAITH aircraft, Roosevelt’s Jeep “Husky”, and, as pointed out by Alex, the George Cross, the nation’s honour for gallantry during the Second World War.
Subsequently, Alex visited the city of Mdina, another breathtaking Maltese location that functioned as the country’s previous capital. Also referred to as the “Silent City”, inhabitants have resided in the area since before 4000BCE.
Throughout the centuries, the city has been controlled by Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs and even the Normans. For Alex, who recorded himself as he wandered the honey-coloured streets, it was “astonishing” and “mind-blowing”.
Other Maltese highlights showcased by Alex included local catacombs and the Blue Lagoon, where the fortunate YouTuber experienced some of the “most blue water” he’s ever seen.
METALLICA’S James Hetfield is engaged to his stunning girlfriend Adriana Gillett, four years after his divorce from his wife of 25 years.
The musician, 62, proposed to his other half underwater while swimming with sharks in an elaborate proposal.
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Metallica icon James Hetfield has proposed to his girlfriend, Adriana GillettCredit: GettyThe singer popped the question while swimming with whale sharksCredit: Instagram
She took to her Instagram to share the exciting news along with some pretty cool pictures.
In the snap, both can be seen wearing snorkelling gear in the water as James holds up a sign that reads: “Adriana Gillett will you marry me?”
A second picture shows a huge fish as they get up close to the sea creatures during their expedition.
Adriana captioned it: “The BEST birthday trip surprise. Swimming with whale sharks on Friday the 13th with the most unique, special and romantic proposal a Pisces could ever imagine.
“In a sea full of fish, we caught each other. Thank you God for putting us together.”
Fans rushed to the comments section to send the couple their well-wishes as they enter this amazing new chapter.
One person gushed: “This ROCKS and makes me so happy!! Congratulations Addy & James!!”
Another enthused: “YES!!!! Fantastic!!! It’s been incredible to see the beautiful journey you both have been on and continue to travel. Much love and congratulations to you both!!!”
Somebody else commented: “Congratulations to the two of you! We are so happy for you.”
Yet another said: “Congratulations! No surprise, you two are one in a million.”
While a fifth follower added: “What a whale of a tale this is!!! Congratulations you two!!!”
The couple began dating in 2023 following his divorce from Francesca Tomasi the previous year.
The pair had been married since 1997 and have three children together – Cali, Castor and Marcella.
They filed for divorce in 2022, citing irreconcilable differences.
He was previously married to Francesca Tomasi and they share three children togetherCredit: Getty
This led to Metallica having to postpone their tour dates in Australia and New Zealand.
Sharing a statement on social media at the time, the band penned: “We are truly sorry to inform our fans and friends that we must postpone our upcoming tour of Australia and New Zealand.
“As most of you probably know, our brother James has been struggling with addiction on and off for many years.
“He has no, unfortunately had to re-enter a treatment program to work on his recovery again
“We are devastated that we have inconvenienced so many of you, especially our most loyal fans who travel great distances to experience our shows.”
The iconic heavy metal band was formed in Los Angeles in 1981 by James and drummer Lars Ulrich.
The current lineup is comprised of the founding members along with longtime lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo.
They’ve released 11 albums over the last four decades and are one of the most commercially successful bands’ of all time.
Metallica have been going strong for over four decadesCredit: Getty
A London beauty spot is being praised as ‘pretty’ and ‘stunning’ while drawing comparisons to Japan thanks to the abundance of cherry blossom trees that are starting to bloom there
Jess Flaherty Senior News Reporter
15:59, 16 Mar 2026Updated 15:59, 16 Mar 2026
People hoping to see an abundance of cherry blossom trees in the UK are in luck (stock image)(Image: serts via Getty Images)
A “stunning” beauty spot has been branded “special” and “pretty” for offering visitors a taste of Japan, all without leaving the UK.
With spring now in full swing, countless nature enthusiasts are eager to embrace the kaleidoscope of colours emerging as flora and fauna transform with the changing seasons. The bare branches and dormant plants of winter are quickly changing and bursting into bloom.
Cherry blossoms are a highly sought-after sight, strongly linked with regions of Japan. Referred to as Sakura in the East Asian country, blossom trees are the most widespread tree throughout the country, with many tourists timing their Japanese holidays around the cherry blossom forecast.
However, those unable to jet off across the globe in pursuit of picturesque pink petals are in luck, as one corner of London features an impressive display of cherry blossom trees.
Rita Farhi, a digital content creator who focuses on “noticing quiet magic in everyday life” in “London and beyond”, shared a video on Instagram showcasing a “hidden cherry blossom spot” in leafy northwest London.
In the caption alongside the footage, Rita wrote: “London has a few hidden cherry blossom spots… and this little path near Swiss Cottage is one of the prettiest.
“For a few weeks every spring it turns completely pink and feels like walking through Japan. It’s already starting to bloom this year. If you love cherry blossom walks, this one is worth saving for the next sunny afternoon.”
She added: “Have you seen it yet? Swiss Cottage, London. Spring in London never stays long… which makes these little moments feel even more special.”
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In the comments section, Rita provided further detail about her video and explained: “Filmed a few springs ago. The blossoms often start pink and turn paler as they open.”
Felloe social media users were quick to share their thoughts. One person commented: “So pretty”.
Another wrote: “What a beaut!” A third said: “So beautiful” while a fourth agreed: “Stunning”.
Someone else enquired: “This is so beautiful! Thank you for sharing. Where in Swiss Cottage is this?”
Rita replied: “Very close to the tube station”.
Another Instagram user shared: “I saw it yesterday and it’s so beautiful”. While another added: “How beautiful! Love this area”.
For those hoping to spot cherry blossoms across the UK, the Natural History Museum explains: “Most of the common cherry trees planted in the UK blossom in April. Mild winters can result in the trees flowering earlier, sometimes in March, but in cooler years they might not do so until May.
“In London, and other particularly warm and sheltered locations, cherry trees can sometimes burst into flower as early as February.”
The 13th-century National Trust castle features the UK’s largest private collection of South and East Asian artefacts and Britain’s best baroque terraced gardens
It looks Italian, and inside is a vast Indian collection and yet it’s here in the UK(Image: Tornadoflight via Getty Images)
Nestled close to the English-Welsh border, in the town of Welshpool, stands a genuine fairy-tale fortress which appears straight out of a storybook and provides a vibrant splash of colour against its sprawling green backdrop.
Built in the 13th century, this mediaeval stronghold is brimming with stories and continues to evolve, much to the delight of those who visit.
For the perfect day spent appreciating historic architecture, discovering a different heritage and exploring the most spectacular of gardens, Powis Castle is the destination to seek out.
Its most recent ownership belonged to the same family, who resided in the castle from as early as the 1570s – the Herbert family. This continued until the castle and its grounds were handed over to the National Trust in 1952 by the 4th Earl of Powis.
Best holiday cottage deals in Wales
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Wales is renowned for its stunning mountains, picturesque coastline and rich Celtic history. Sykes has a wide and varied collection of holiday cottages, houses and apartments across the country. Prices start from £35 per night with current deals.
One TripAdvisor reviewer said: “This site is stunning. I was blown away by how picturesque the place is.”
Another wrote: “This place really exceeded my expectations. The interior is super detailed and interesting, with some spectacular pieces of furniture.
“The gardens are truly beautiful on a lovely warm hillside and some stupendous giant yew trees. Has to be seen.”
History
The heritage of this fortress stretches back hundreds of years, encompassing numerous owners, as the property expanded and transformed, whilst preserving its original character throughout.
However, it all started in the 13th century when a Welsh prince, Gruffudd ap Gwenwynwyn, established some independence. When he and the remainder of his direct lineage died in 1309, leaving no male heir, the castle passed to an heiress called Hawise. She then married Sir John Charlton from Shropshire.
The fortress came under attack during this period from Hawise’s uncle, who was trying to claim the lordship he believed he was entitled to instead of her, but was unsuccessful.
In response, they chose to repair the damage and constructed two imposing drum towers on either side of the castle’s west entrance. Charlton’s descendants remarkably remained lords of Powis for more than 100 years, until no male heir could be found.
Consequently, in 1421, the castle was split between two daughters, after which the fortress entered a sharp decline, desperately needing restoration following years of abandonment. Before long, it was taken over and lovingly rebuilt before being leased to the Herbert family.
Most significantly since that time, one of the most substantial changes occurred when the Clive family introduced what is now recognised as the Clive collection. A collection teeming with South and East Asian artefacts exhibited in the castle, and the largest private collection of its kind in Britain.
Clive Collection
What makes this fortress particularly unique is its fascinating array of artefacts housed within it. Originally assembled by two generations of the Clive family, comprising Robert and his son Edward, who had wed Henrietta Herbert, the daughter of the 1st Earl of Powis.
The collection was assembled during Britain’s colonial rule of India, when these artefacts were removed from their country of origin and brought to the castle, starting in the 1800s. Today it houses more than 1,000 pieces originating from South and East Asia.
According to its website, visitors can expect to discover an extensive array of ivories, textiles, statues of Hindu deities, decorative silver and gold, weapons and ceremonial armour.
Naturally, this remarkable collection carries with it a troubling past, one which connects the castle to a proprietor who played a role in the invasion of India. Robert Clive was directly employed by the East India Company, which sent armies to both invade and subjugate India.
In doing so, they exploited the nation financially and profited from the natural resources it possessed. This contributed to establishing the British Empire’s presence within India and, consequently, secured a lifetime of riches and prosperity for Clive, which is evident in the castle’s magnificence.
Gardens
Beyond the striking castle itself, the true highlight of the estate lies in its grounds and immaculately-maintained gardens. Part of its impressive display of flowers, plants and trees is attributed to the captivating hedging that encircles the castle.
It covers up to 8,500 square metres of the estate, with the yett, tumps and top terrace contributing an extra 7,000 square metres to that figure. And with this comes some extreme-gardening methods adopted by the National Trust to guarantee it stays in impeccable condition.
To put that into perspective, it states that one skilled gardener can spend up to 10 weeks annually working at height, using a hydraulic cherry picker to trim and sculpt the towering hedges. That represents just one element of these magnificent gardens.
What makes them particularly remarkable is their Italian-influenced design dating back to 1680. The gardens at Powis Castle are regarded as the finest surviving example of a baroque terraced garden in the entire country – blending both Italian and French influences.
Without a National Trust membership, it costs £18 for entry to the castle and gardens for an adult, excluding gift aid. Meanwhile, children will be charged £9, while families can choose a family ticket for a reduced price.
It’s worth noting that ticket prices are reduced during off-peak periods of the year.
