sun

I WATCH the sun slowly drop away behind the sandy horizon, as the sky transforms into a dozen magical shades of yellow and orange.

My tour group had decided to make a quick photo stop ahead of our dune-bashing tour in the Qatari desert, with aptly named driver Basham.

And we were so glad we did.

This is my first time visiting the Middle East and a 4×4 excursion across the vast sands is the perfect start to my stay in Doha, Qatar’s capital.

After soaking up the sunset, I’m led back to my huge vehicle by Basham who spends the next 30 minutes putting both car and passengers through their paces.

It’s an exhilarating experience, soaring over the ridges of the tall dunes and veering towards the edges of sandbanks at ferociously high speed.

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Doha certainly isn’t short of action-packed day trips for adrenaline junkies.

If the dune-bashing isn’t your thing, visitors can also get their kicks at Doha Quest, an indoor theme park that is home to more than 30 rides and attractions including the world’s tallest indoor rollercoaster Epiq Coaster.

If you’re more of a sun worshipper, the Desert Falls Water and Adventure Park at the Hilton Salwa Beach Resort will be the place for you.

There are 30 thrilling slides and rides here, although the lazy river is the most addictive in my opinion — I could spend hours bobbing around on the water, floating serenely around the park.

But if you prefer an adrenaline hit, there are spine-tingling rides here, too.

I swear that I saw some airtime on the Whizzard Mat Racer, a sheer-drop slide that sends riders plummeting towards a blue foam mat.

Qatar isn’t just about thrills and spills, though.

The Middle Eastern country is also a hub for major sporting events, including Formula 1.

Experiencing the Qatar Grand Prix up close is a must for any petrolhead — and I was able to do just that through a package booking with Qatar Airways, a global partner of Formula 1.

Affordable luxury

The airline rolls flights, hotel and F1 tickets into one, making it much easier for Brits who have maybe never visited Qatar before.

I relished every second of watching drivers such as Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen and Lando Norris speed around the circuit, lap after lap.

You can be sure that I jumped at the chance to go on a pit-lane walk, too, which took me past the teams’ garages where I could take hundreds of pictures and videos.

And you would be a fool to miss out on a tour of the track in a huge open-top truck before the race gets under way — I was able to feel all the twists and turns that the racers would be experiencing during the race, although at an admittedly much slower speed.

After all that excitement, I was grateful that my hotel, the Hilton Salwa Beach Resort, has just over two miles of private beaches, where I could flop on a sun lounger with fantastic views over the glittering Arabian Gulf.

Even the most basic room here feels luxurious, thanks to the huge wooden headboard towering behind the plush bed, a spacious sofa area where holidaymakers can relax to the max after a day of snoozing by the pool, and glass double doors opening on to a large balcony.

That’s the real highlight of Doha — luxury has a much more affordable price tag. Rooms here cost from around £188 with breakfast, which considering the quality and detail is impressive value.

The food is high-end, too. For classic Qatari and Middle Eastern flavours, head to the on-site Levantine restaurant, where you can pick up some excellent kofte for under £20.

If you’re looking to really push the boat out, though, the Raffles Doha hotel will blow your socks off.

Rooms cost from £335 per night here, but this is still a a lot less than most other hotels in the Raffles chain, including The OWO in London where rooms can cost just shy of £1,000 per night.

Raffles Doha occupies half of the prestigious Katara Towers. These U-shaped buildings are a symbol of Qatar’s national seal, representing traditional scimitar swords.

It’s the height of luxury, from its grand lobby all the way through to its suites and restaurants — and the perfect way to celebrate a special occasion.

Decked out with hardwood floors, mirrors and golden motifs, my spacious suite was a luxurious haven — and even came with a personalised butler service.

The huge floor-to-ceiling windows offered fantastic views over the Arabian Gulf and, if you can brave the morning heat, a warm brew on the terrace is the perfect way to start your day.

I was too focused on heading to downstairs to eat at L’Artisan, a restaurant that whips up the very best breakfast omelettes I’ve ever eaten.

You might want to keep food to a minimum if you’re heading out dune-bashing, though.

IF you want a thrill on water, then how about trying the world’s tallest waterslide?

Called RIG 1938, its found at Meryal Waterpark in Qatar.

Having only opened last year, it stands at 85m tall, meaning it currently holds the Guinness World Record for tallest waterslide.

But it isn’t actually one slide – and is actually a structure made up of 12 slides.

Others include The Fractionator, where you can pick your own music as you go down.

This slide also holds a record, being the world’s tallest body slide.

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Or there is Vertigo, with a 76m drop, as well as The Broiler which is more like a water rollercoaster with twists and turns

Meryal Waterpark is the biggest waterpark in Qatar.

And if you aren’t a slide enthusiast, then there lots of other attractions to choose from, with nearly 70 in total.

Across the six-acre resort, there are also lazy rivers, wave pools and toddler splash parks.

You can even book a cabana for the day which includes bottles of water, towels and snacks.

For dining options, guests can choose from kid-friendly menus to Italian, Asian and international restaurants.

One tourist said it was the “world’s best waterpark”.

They added: “We love water parks and we have been to Atlantis, Siam Park, Volcano Bay etc … but this place is our number 1.

“Seriously amazing.”

Another agreed, saying: “Fun waterpark for all ages. Crazy slides and very safe.

“The rides were very thrilling. Kids enjoyed it. By far the best waterpark in the world.”

The park is open from 10am-6pm, from November to February, closing on February 26, 2026.

Tickets cost 100 Qatari Riyal (£21) if you book online, while cabanas start from 599 Qatari Riyal (£126).

Guests staying at the nearby Rixos Premium Qetaifan Island North hotel get free entry to the waterpark.

If you want to find the world’s best waterpark, Siam Park in Tenerife is often named one of the best.

For the biggest indoor waterpark in Europe, head to Poland to find Suntago.

LOVEHOLIDAYS has kicked off its biggest ever Black Friday sale until midnight on December 2.

So if you’re planning a last-minute winter sun break or planning for a spectacular summer 2026 trip, you’re in luck, as there are huge savings on your next getaway.

loveholidays Black Friday deals

From classic Canary escapes to budget-friendly visits to Tunisia, these deals are delivering serious value for money.

The standout offer for would-be travellers is up to £550 off selected package holidays, based on bookings for four people.

On top of that, holidaymakers can get extra savings of up to £200 off bookings when using the code BFEXTRA at checkout, which is until 2 December.

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There’s also extra price cuts on flights and transfers, with deposits starting from as little as £19 per person.

If you spot something good for the dates you want, we’d recommend snapping it up, as winter sun at these prices rarely sticks around.

Prices are also expected to fall even further, so it’s worth checking the loveholidays website through Cyber weekend for new offers.

loveholidays Black Friday deals not to be missed

These are some of the top offers we found in the Black Friday sale to book between now and 2026

• Pebbles Resort St Paul’s Bay, Malta – Flights and room only, 2 people for 7 nights from £298 (was £335) – book here
• Ona Hollywood Mirage Tenerife, Canary Islands – Flights and room only, 2 people for 7 nights from £698 (was £749) – book here
• Be Live Collection Marrakech (Adults Only) Morrocco – Flights and all inclusive, 2 people for 7 nights from £1038 (was £1160) – book here
• Aska Lara Resort & Spa Antalya, Turkey – Flights and all inclusive, 2 people for 7 nights from £718 (was £775) – book here
• MGM Grand Las Vegas, USA – Flights and room only, 2 people for 7 nights from £569pp (£200 below peak price) – book here
• TRS Yucatan Hotel, Mexico – Flights and all inclusive, 2 people for 7 nights from £2778 (was £2962) – book here

Remember, some of these deals are last-minute for 2025, and many are deals for those who want to book ahead of the 2026 rush.

Head over to loveholidays to find the best Black Friday deals for you while they last.

JET2 is restarting flights to a Brit-loved holiday destination for the first time in more than a decade.

The airline will start flights to two destinations in Egypt, after scrapping routes back in 2011.

The Egyptian Cabinet Presidency has reported that there will be seven weekly flights to both Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada with Jet2 from 2027.

It added that Brits can get to the two cities from Birmingham, Manchester and London Stansted which will each offer two flights a week.

There will also be a weekly flight to Sharm El Sheikh from Edinburgh and a weekly flight to Hurghada from Glasgow.

Reports say Jet2 CEO Steve Heapy and Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy met at World Travel Market London earlier this month to discuss the flights.

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The Minister reportedly described the new flights as a significant step towards boosting British tourism to Egypt.

Details have also been published on Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities Facebook page.

A spokesperson for Jet2 told Sun Travel: “As the UK’s favourite airline and tour operator, we continually review our flight and holiday programmes to ensure that they meet the needs of our customers.

“We are in the process of finalising a very exciting programme to Egypt and we will communicate the details, including a fantastic launch offer, with customers next week.

“With guaranteed sunshine and a great launch offer coming, our advice is to watch this space!”

While it’s not the first time that Jet2 has operated flights to Egypt, but has been 14 years since the last ones took off.

Jet2 previously offered flights to both Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada, but these were pulled in 2011.

Egypt remains a very popular tourist destination for Brits, especially the Red Sea resort towns which are known for their stretching sandy beaches and plush holiday resorts.

In just five hours Brits can enjoy sun, sea and sand as well as affordable food and drink.

Of course the resort cities are perfect for winter sun as during the colder season there are average highs of 22C – even in December and January.

During the summer it’s very hot with temperatures reaching 38C.

In recent years, Egypt has been named the ‘best value for money’ destination, according to the Post Office Travel Money.

Brits stopped going to Egypt as much – leading to the 2011 flight cancellations – due to conflict within the region.

This was the year that the Egyptian Revolution started with demonstrations happening all over the country.

Some resorts were still visited, but then in 2015 there was a terror attack on a Russian passenger plane which killed all 224 onboard.

As a result, flights from the UK were stopped for at least four years, with TUI reintroducing holiday packages in 2019.

This was following the UK Foreign Office issuing new guidance which said certain destinations were considered safe with upgrades to things like airport security.

Now, many fly to Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada, like EgyptAir, easyJet, TUI, Wizz Air, British Airways, and Turkish Airlines.

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The six routes to the islands, which have been growing in popularity as winter sun destinations, will be cancelled from March 2026 with the budget airline citing issues such as rising air traffic control costs

Ryanair has announced it’ll cut all of its routes to the Azores islands as of March 29, 2026, due to rising costs and travel taxes, the airline claims.

The budget airline once offered six routes to and from the island, including seasonal flights from London Stansted and Bristol Airport, which operated from April to October. It also offered connections from Portugal’s mainland, including Lisbon and Porto.

Ryanair’s CCO Jason McGuinness said: “We are disappointed that the French airport monopoly ANA continues to raise Portuguese airport fees to line its pockets, at the expense of Portuguese tourism and jobs – particularly on the Portuguese islands. As a direct result of these rising costs, we have been left with no alternative other than to cancel all Azores flights from 29 March 2026 onwards and relocate this capacity to lower cost airports elsewhere in the extensive Ryanair Group network across Europe.”

He added: “This loss of low fare connectivity to the Azores is direct result of the French monopoly airport operator – VINCI – imposing excessive airport charges across Portugal (which have risen by up to 35% since Covid) and the anti-competitive enviro taxes imposed by the EU, which exempt more polluting long haul flights to the US and Middle East, at the expense of EU remote regions such as the Azores.

“After 10 years of year-round Ryanair operations, one of Europe’s most remote regions will now lose direct low-fare flights to London, Brussels, Lisbon, and Porto due to ANA’s high airport fees and Portuguese Govt. inaction.”

The airline also urged the Portuguese government to take action, with statement saying: “The Portuguese Govt. must intervene and ensure that its airports which are a critical part of national infrastructure – especially in an island economy like the Azores – are used to benefit the Portuguese people, rather than benefitting a French airport monopoly.”

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Ryanair’s axing of these flights now leaves Brits with only one direct route to the Azores; British Airways offer seasonal flights from London Heathrow to Ponta Delgada Airport. However, direct flights only run during the peak summer season, although you can book flights with a connection in Portugal’s mainland for the rest of the year.

The Azores are not the first destination to see its Ryanair services axed due to costs. Ryanair abandoned a number of regional airports in 2025 including Strasbourg, Bergerac, and Vatry, and has threatened to leave several French airports due to rising taxes. Jason McGuinness told a French magazine that a 180% tax increase made regional airports ‘unviable’ for the airline.

The French government’s 2025 budget included a tax hike for air travel, meaning domestic and European flights leaving France were hit with an extra cost of €4.77 (approx. £4.21) per ticket.

Have a story you want to share? Email us at [email protected].

SOME like to jet off when the weather gets chilly here in the UK – but what about those who like to feel Christmassy in November?

Sun Travel has revealed our favourite destinations across both Britain and the world that make us feel the most festive, with cosy fireside pubs, snowy scenes, Christmas markets and Santa’s actual home.

Cotswolds, UK

Sometimes you just can’t beat a festive staycation – Deputy Travel Editor, Kara Godfrey said: “One of my favourite things to do at Christmas is drive through pretty country villages and go on a free light show.

“And having grown up in the Cotswolds, I wasn’t short of huge beautiful manor houses and pubs wanting to show off their Christmas lights.

“I recommend driving from Burford to Broadway, with stops in Bourton-on-the-Water and Moreton-in-Marsh where you will see them a mile away because of the sheer volume of lights.

“Then if you need a cosy pub to warm up in, head over to the town of Witney where you have a huge amount of choice on the high street.

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“My favourites are the Holly Bush, with low ceiling and delicious mulled cider, or The Plough, the town’s oldest pub dating back to the 17th century.”

Copenhagen, Denmark

After a recent trip to the Danish capital of Copenhagen, Travel Reporter Alice Penwill recommends heading there to embrace the cold.

She said: “Copenhagen thrives during autumn and winter – and another plus point is that the city is dressed up for Christmas from early November.

“Festive markets pop up with new stalls – they sell everything from Christmas decorations to tasty treats and my favourite, hot chocolate or spiced Gløgg.

“Make sure to grab a Danish pastry from one of the many bakeries in the city and then take a mooch around Strøget – the famous shopping street. Or head down to the famous colourful Nyhavn with plenty of outside bars underneath outdoor heaters so you won’t feel too chilly.

“For a bit of peace and quiet, head to the Botanical Gardens where the trees have bright yellow and orange leaves.”

Lapland, Finland

Head of Sun Travel (Digital), Caroline McGuire suggests heading to Finland: “This is an obvious one, but I took my child to Lapland with TUI last
year and nothing can compare to being in Santa’s ACTUAL homeland at
Christmas.

“Yes, it’s exhausting getting up before the crack of dawn to catch a
flight, but the airline staff were a joy from check-in onwards, where
they greeted travellers with festive headgear.

“On the plane, we enjoyed a cooked breakfast and sang Xmas songs,
before landing and being immediately sized up for our Arctic snow
gear.

“A coach transfer complete with its own elf guide takes you to the snow
village, for a day of gingerbread decorating, snowmobiling, husky
sleigh riding, ice hotel exploration and a visit to the big man
himself.

“Then you’re flying home with a plane Christmas dinner.
it’s a full-on itinerary, but having done 4 nights in Lapland before,
the one-day trip makes sure to tick off all the big hitters every
family dreams of.”

Edinburgh, Scotland

Travel Reporter Cyann Fielding said: “Harry Potter fans and festive fanatics must head to Edinburgh around the Christmas period.

“The Scottish capital is special all-year round, but at Christmas it comes alive with decorated shop fronts, dazzling lights and a vast market.

“For a refreshing hike with the wind in your hair and spectacular views, head up Arthur‘s Seat. If you prefer to wander, then head to W Bow – a 17th century cobbled street with endless independent businesses set behind the colourful facades of buildings.

“If you do like Harry Potter, make sure to nip into Museum Context, which sells wizardy merch. And for a hot drink make sure to head into Black Medicine Coffee Co, which is super cosy – so much so I didn’t want to leave.

“The Christmas Market transforms the city centre into a festive village and has a great mix of everything including traditional markets, rides and food and drink stalls.”

Scottish Sun’s Travel Editor Heather Lowrie also recommends Edinburgh for a festive visit.

She said: “The city’s historic Princes Street Gardens are awash with festive lights which brighten any gloomy night sky and you’ll find there are merry-go-rounds, a big wheel and other funfair rides for youngsters.

“There’s also the ‘try if you dare’ Around the World Starflyer – an 80m tall tower with swings that spin you around for views of the city  which probably rival those Santa gets from his sleigh as he flies through the sky.

“In George Street (just behind iconic Princess Street) you’ll find an ice-rink,  so grab some skates and go gliding  and dancing (and falling if you’re anything  like me!).

“And new for this year is glittering frozen world of The Ice Queen’s Castle, complete with ice carvings and intricate wall etchings – the perfect winter wonderland.”

New York, USA

Assistant Travel Editor Sophie Swietochowski suggests heading to the Big Apple for festive cheer.

She said: “This may sound cliché, but there really is no better time to visit New York City than during the festive period. Perhaps I’ve attached some sentimental value to the city at Christmas as it was around this time of year that I visited for the first time ever.

“Woozy from jet-lag, I gazed in awe at neon lights beaming from the mighty skyscrapers of Times Square, while city-goers dashed past, wrapped in their woollen scarves, shielding from the bitter chill.

“The Rockefeller Tree, one of the city’s most prized festive traditions, dazzled in a blur of tiny, multi-coloured lights, while a queue formed outside Macy’s department store, whose windows were drenched in holly and splashes of red and white paint.

“It was everything I’d expected, my very own Big Apple rom-com.
I’ve returned to the city around Christmas three times since – and it gets no less magical.

“My routine rarely changes: a visit to Bryant Park’s markets, laden with wooden stalls – grab a hot choccie while you’re here and watch the skaters twirl on an ice rink.

“I’ll always visit Bloomingdale’s, too, on Fifth Avenue to buy a tacky tree decoration, making sure to stroll past Saks, which puts on a Christmas light show every year.

“The bars of Manhattan often feel packed, but the atmosphere is electric as people pass back mulled wine through the crowd, full of festive enthusiasm.”

Reykjavik, Iceland

As its name suggests Iceland is a great spot for anyone seeking cooler weather, which is rare for Deputy Travel Editor, Kara Godfrey: “As someone who hates the cold, you will normally find me in warmer climates during Christmas, having spent Decembers in Morocco, St Kitts and Dubai.

“But one place I didn’t mind braving the cold for was Iceland – after all, the point is to feel the chill!

“There’s nothing better than wrapping up in all the layers before heading out to see stunning geysers, dramatic waterfalls and icy landscapes, ending by warming up in the famous Blue Lagoon.

“I highly recommend staying at the Grandi by Center Hotel in Reykjavik. I spent the evenings with glasses of wine and board games in the lobby, overlooked by twinkling Christmas tree lights and a roaring fire.”

Pitlochry, Scotland

Lynn Kernan, Features Editor at The Scottish Sun said: “To me there is nothing more festive than being curled up in front of a roaring fire with a twinkling tree and a warming dram.

“And that’s exactly what you get in Pitlochry’s Port-Na-Craig inn.

“The little guest house, right on the River Tummel and in the shadow of Perthshire’s snow-capped mountains, dates back to the 1600s and knows how to do an old school Christmas in style.

“Its dining room is transformed into a winter wonderland at this time of year, with glittering baubles hanging from the ceiling and festive trinkets adorning every surface.

“Inside, it’s breathtaking for a festive fan – while outside, the beer garden is an illuminated sanctuary.

“The inn is in Pitlochry, one of Scotland’s prettiest towns with cute cafes, independent shops and top notch restaurants which all make an effort at this time of year.

“It’s also where the Enchanted Forest is held in the run up to the festive season. The nearby Faskally Wood is brought to life with stunning light shows in October and November.

“If you’re looking for me in December I’ll be at the inn, with a single malt, marvelling at the decadent decorations and singing Jingle Bells.”

Luxembourg

Head of Sun Travel (Digital), Caroline McGuire added: “Luxembourg isn’t exactly must-visit destination among European
capitals, but the city comes into its own at Christmas time.

“Best explored on foot (which allows for extra mulled wine), the old
town of Luxembourg city is both grand and quaint – and perfect for
exploring in chilly weather, when you can nip into the bars and
bakeries for a warming drink.

“There are also Christmas markets spread throughout the city as part of
the annual Winterlights festival, which also features festive
concerts, exhibitions, performances and crafts for kids.

“Given how quick the flight is to Luxembourg (1 hour and 15 minutes)
and the time it takes to get from the airport to the city centre (20
minutes by tram), this is a really easy trip to do in just 24 hours.”

Lisbon, Portugal

Travel Reporter Alice Penwill suggests a short trip over the one popular European spot. She said: “Yes, Portugal is beautiful in the summer, but the city of Lisbon is easy to explore at any time of year.

“I went to the city two years ago and weather-wise it was actually fairly mild but still very festive, especially as the shops had the lights on display.

“Major attractions include Wonderland Lisboa and Rossio Christmas Market plus you still have to take a ride on the tram and of course, take a walk on the famous Pink Street.“

Cairngorms, Scotland

Scottish Sun’s Travel Editor Heather Lowrie said: “Situated in historic Royal Deeside – just a few miles from the Royal family’s private Balmoral Castle  – the beautiful Cairngorms destination almost guarantees snow, transforming it into a  true winter wonderland.

“The village celebrates Christmas with a traditional Christmas lights switch on, with carols and mulled wine and there’s even a reindeer parade on Christmas Eve.

“The Cranford Guesthouse is famed for its delicious home baking and will be adorned with decorations and lights to turn up that festive feeling.

“If money is no object then book into the award-winning Fife Arms Hotel, where they even put on a Fondue Hut from November where you can indulge in all things melted cheese or if you’d rather get back to nature then go glamping at the dog friendly Braemar Glamping Pods and go star-gazing.

“Skiers will be in Christmas heaven too, as the Glenshee & Lecht Ski Centres are nearby where Christmas on the slopes is a real thing.

“Head out at night with Mountain Skies Braemar where, if you’re lucky, you  might catch a glimpse of the Northern lights!”

Tallinn, Estonia

Travel Reporter Cyann Fielding has got some pending Christmas plans to Eastern Europe. She said: “Next week, I will be heading off to Tallinn – the capital of Estonia – which is often dubbed a fairytale city.

“I’m super excited to head to the Christmas market in the medieval Old Town’s Town Hall Square, with a huge decorated tree – the first tree to ever be displayed in Europe – and carol performances.

“The market has also previously been named one of the best in Europe so I am keen to see whether it lives up to the title. For food and drink, the gingerbread cookies are meant to be a hit, as well as the hot mulled wine, known as glogi.

“Temperatures in November sit around zero degrees, so I am hoping there will be snow to make it feel even more Christmassy.”

St Albans, UK

Some like to head to the city for Christmas, but Assistant Travel Editor Sophie Swietochowski said she prefers to stick to the countryside.

She said: “What can beat a proper British pub at Christmas time? Several worn armchairs scattered around a crackling fire, a pile of board games on the shelf in the corner, and a heated vat of mulled wine propped on the bar.

“The city of St Albans is home to the kind of stereotypical cottage-style boozers you see in festive rom-coms like The Holiday. It’s also the pub capital of the UK, claiming to have more pubs per square mile than any other region in the country.

“Many of these drinking holes are listed properties, so they have that higgledy-piggledy feel to them with timber beams and low ceilings that enhance the cosy factor.

“Talking of cosy, the recently opened Cosy Club restaurant-cum-bar is a great spot for those looking to amp up the party, The menu features jam-packed burgers and pasta dishes, alongside heady cocktails, all of which are cracking value.

“During the festive season The Odyssey, a restored Art Deco cinema, shows classic Christmas movies, like It’s A Wonderful Life – book one of the table seats in the downstairs section and order yourself a glass of wine and cheese platter from the bar.

“Pop into one of the many local bakeries for a festive treat – Brad and Dills, a coffee and bagel joint founded by a local duo, does a cracking brew and often has fun spins on classic festive flavours crammed into their moreish bagels.”

London, UK

Of course, how could you leave the country’s capital off the list? Head of Sun Travel (Digital), Caroline McGuire said: “Brits spend a fortune travelling to festive destinations abroad when we have one of the best places for celebrating Christmas on our doorstep – London.

“In my opinion, there are few places in the world that are more
festive, starting with the traditional London pub.

“Paper hat on your head, pint in hand, everyone packed in like sardines as with condensation mists the drafty Victorian window panes and they sing
along to Fairytale of New York – there’s nothing that signals December
has arrived more.

“But of course, there is plenty to do other than pubs too. It has
plenty of haters, but Winter Wonderland is one of the biggest
Christmas attractions in the world and you can choose everything from
market shopping to fancy grub, beer halls, fair grounds, Santa’s
grotto and ice bars.

“Don’t fancy that one? How about the ice skating at Somerset House with
the fancy Virgin Clubhouse for a drink afterwards, or Glide at
Battersea – or even the new rink in Leicester Square.

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“And then there’s all the Christmas theatre shows – The Snowman, Elf,
The Nutcracker, Santa Needs a Wee, Jack And The Beanstalk… there are
enough shows on and off London’s West End to see one every day now
until December 25.

“The restaurants are all decked out in their festive best, the shops
are the best in the country… so unless you’re looking for some peace
and quiet, there’s no better place get in the festive mood.”

AS the UK descended into the depths of winter, a warmer holiday could be on the cards.

But trying to find the best deal while still catching some sun can be hard, especially if flying from your local airport.

However, TravelSupermarket has revealed the holiday destinations with the cheapest average package deals from seven of the UK’s most popular airports.

With deals for as little as £225 each – and that includes seven nights and return flights – here are some of the best spots to go from your nearest airport.

Newcastle Airport

When it comes to Brits travelling from Newcastle Airport, you’ll want to head to Fuerteventura.

With deals on average being around £339pp, the Spanish island is often seen as one of the more affordable in the Canaries.

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We spoke to a local who shared his top tips for exploring the island from the prettiest towns to the quietest beaches.

Other cheap destinations include Malta, with deals from £388pp.

Leeds Airport

One of the most affordable winter sun breaks if flying from Leeds Airport is Agadir.

Morocco is often one of the best destinations for a winter holiday, being one of the warmest destinations without a long flight.

The average package deal price comes in at around £413pp, when flying to the Moroccan city from Leeds.

The Sun’s Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey visited last winter, saying: “It’s affordable luxury at its finest, and the perfect place for a last-minute holiday with my closest gal pal.

Manchester Airport

Spain comes out on top if you are travelling from Manchester Airport.

The Costa del Sol’s Benalmadena has the cheapest average holiday prices, with seven night breaks around £481.

Other cheap average deals include Lara in Turkey for £513pp, or Puerto de la Cruz in Tenerife for £537pp.

Birmingham Airport

Fuerteventura comes out on top as the biggest bargain destination, this time when travelling from Birmingham Airport.

You can spend just £350pp on average for a seven night holiday there.

Other cheap destinations also include Malta for £356pp.

London Airport

If you can get to some of the airports in London, you will normally find the cheapest deals here due to then having more airlines in operation.

The biggest bargain on the list, you can fly to Olu Deniz in Turkey with seven nights just £225pp.

With highs of 16C, and beautiful sandy beaches, it is even nicknamed the Turquoise Coast for its bright blue seas.

Other cheap packages include Alayna, also in Turkey, for £281pp, or Hammamet in Tunisia for £315pp.

Liverpool Airport

Sousse in Tunisia is the cheapest winter sun spot if travelling from Liverpool, with average holiday packages for around £290pp.

Tunisia was even named the best value winter sun holiday destination by Thomas Cook earlier this year, with highs of 18C.

Other cheap spots include Albufeira in Portugal for around £375pp.

Edinburgh Airport

Scots should be looking at holidays to Portugal if they want the biggest bargain.

The Algarve’s Albufeira has some of the cheapest package holidays on average, with a week being around £395pp.

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Here is how to find the sunniest beach in Europe this winter.

And we’ve rounded up where is hot to go in January.

ANOTHER airline has announced that it will have free Wi-Fi on board its planes from this week.

Emirates, which was voted by Sun readers as their favourite airline of year, in the Sun Travel Awards 2025, will soon feature Starlink on board its planes.

Starlink Wi-Fi is beamed down to Earth from satellites and will make in-flight internet up to 50 times faster than normal.

This means it will allow passengers on board Emirates flights to stream content, game, make calls, work and browse social media.

The airline will introduce the Wi-Fi on 232 of its planes, which is the airline’s entire in-service fleet.

In fact, the first Emirates flight with Starlink is set to take off later this week, with the airline then fitting out around 14 aircraft per month.

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Initially, Emirates’ Boeing 777 will be the first aircraft in the fleet to get Starlink and roll-out is expected to be complete by mid-2027.

The airline is then aiming to install Starlink beginning on the Airbus A380 fleet in February next year.

Emirates is also set to make live TV available via Starlink, which will initially be on personal devices before launching on seatback screens from late December 2025.

The Starlink Wi-Fi services will be free across all Emirates flights, no matter what cabin you are in.

Access requires one click and there is no payment or membership needed for using Starlink.

Sir Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline said: “We’re introducing the world’s fastest Wi-Fi, elevating what passengers can expect from in-flight connectivity, like seamless productivity, real-time communication with loved ones, and uninterrupted connection to their digital lives.

“But that’s just one piece of the transformation happening across our fleet.

“Starlink is being installed in tandem with the most ambitious cabin refurbishment programme in aviation including brand new Premium Economy cabins, an enhanced Business Class, refreshed First Class, expanded and upgraded entertainment system technologies, and now, industry-leading connectivity.”

Chad Gibbs, VP of Starlink Business Operations, SpaceX, said: “With Starlink onboard your Emirates flight, you’ll be able to stream, game, and have seamless video calls, just as you can do on the ground.

“We’re excited to transform Emirates’ travel experience and support the rapid installation of Starlink while maintaining focus on delivering overall quality of service.”

Emirates isn’t the first airline to introduce Starlink on its flights.

At the beginning of this month, British Airways also confirmed it would be launching Starlink on board all its planes next year.

BA boss Sean Doyle, British Airways said: “Launching Starlink on both our long-haul and short-haul aircraft is game-changing for us and our customers, elevating their experience on board our flights by offering them seamless connectivity from gate to gate.

“Especially on short-haul, this will really differentiate us from our competitors.”

Back in March, United Airlines also confirmed that they would be adding the free Wi-Fi service to more than 40 aircraft.

And Qatar Airways completed its installation of Starlink onboard its flights back in July – they even FaceTimed a flight attendant to show how fast it will be.

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In other aviation news, a budget airline has slashed flights from a major UK airport in a scramble to cut costs.

Plus, a major airline with bunk beds onboard reveals plans to relaunch UK flights for the first time in five years.

The islands are particularly popular this time of year for Brits looking to escape the winter gloom. But a new crackdown could mean it’s harder to find a place to stay in one of the popular resorts

Popular Spanish islands, which have long been a winter sun favourite for Brits, have approved a new set of laws that could make it more difficult to find accommodation at peak times.

Following a heated debate last week, the Parliament of the Canary Islands approved the new bill, more than two years after it was first announced. According to Canarian Weekly, the bill has been widely criticised by holiday let companies and local councils, who’ll be required to enforce the new measures.

ASCAV (Asociación Canaria del Alquiler Vacacional), which represents owners of holiday rentals across the Canaries, said it was a “black day”, according to the Spanish news outlet. They warned the changes will mostly affect small-scale lets and mean less choice for holidaymakers visiting the islands.

The new laws target holiday lets, with one of the main supporters of the bill being the hotel industry, its main competition. Holiday rentals will now be classed as a business, even for smaller operations such as families letting out their own homes. There will also be strict rules about where tourist rentals can operate. Councils will now have five years to define areas where holiday lets are allowed and will need to demonstrate that the area can support them. Until then, no further licences can be granted.

There will also be new minimum standards for holiday lets, including a minimum property size and energy rating, and properties will need to be at least ten years old before being let out.

Councils will also be required to ensure that 80% of housing is earmarked for residents, and in major tourist areas, they’ll be required to keep at least 90% for locals. In areas identified as “municipalities facing demographic challenges” from tourism, new holiday let licence applications will be suspended, although existing ones will still be valid.

In areas where the 10% allowance has already been met, licence applications will only be accepted again once the cap is raised.

While the changes will give local councils on the Canary Islands greater power, critics have said it’ll create a “massive workload” for local authorities, placing the onus on them to ensure compliance with new health and safety standards. They now have an eight-month window to create a plan for checking and enforcing the new regulations.

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Tourist-rental licences will now be valid for five to ten years, with owners needing to apply for renewals. In areas with a ‘stressed housing market’, this will be more challenging for the current 70,000 licence holders.

The changes follow two years of protests on the Canary Islands, as well as on the mainland of Spain. Despite protesters telling tourists not to visit destinations such as Tenerife, the island still saw a surge in tourist numbers over the summer.

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DUBAI has finally cracked open its £10billion mystery islands to sun-seeking holidaymakers after they lay deserted for more than two decades.

The city has long been recognised for its architectural wonders including the 828m tall Burj Khalifa.

But the glamourous city has revealed its latest gem, known as ‘the world’s islands’, which is now officially open to tourists after years of development.

Rocky beginnings

The £10.6bn fantasy archipelago was supposed to reshape the coastline into a giant world map made from 300 man-made islands.

The mad dream began as a sketch on a cocktail napkin and back then, ambitious tycoons queued up to claim their slice of the fantasy.

There were even plans for a Giant’s Causeway on the ‘Ireland’ island and a fashion paradise overseen by Karl Lagerfeld himself.

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Bit in 2008 the crash hit and money vanished, turning the whole thing into a sandy graveyard.

The pricey stunt had costed enough dredged sand to fill Wembley nearly 100 times over.

Developers soon went bust, investors fled, and by 2011 officials were admitting the project was basically “in a coma.”

For years, the only excitement came from tourists peering out of plane windows, gawping at the ghostly outline of a world that never was.

The only resident for years was Dubai’s ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who quietly bagged ‘Greenland’ for a private palace in 2011.

But in true Dubai fashion, the city has refused to give up and the forgotten islands are back, open for business, and dripping in luxury.

Open for business

The islands are now open to tourists, offering a game-changing new experience.

Travellers can enjoy the World islands, which consist of 300 islands, situated just off the cost of the mainland.

Each island has been designed to mimic different countries or continents, including luxury resorts, fine dining spots and high-end beach villas.

While many are still under construction, a select few are fully accessible to tourists.

‘Heart of Europe’

Austrian developer Josef Kleindienst, snapped up half a dozen islands and nearly two decades later, his sprawling resort, ‘The Heart of Europe‘, is now open.

The islands resemble popular European destinations, including ‘Sweden,’ ‘Switzerland,’ ‘Germany,’ ‘Monaco,’ and ‘St Petersburg’.

Guests can take a trip to the glitzy Voco Monaco hotel, blasting out endless techno, offering visitors a luxury, high end party experience.

The star attraction is the bonkers “raining street,” where sprinklers blast out a fake downpour every 15 minutes.

In 35°C heat, it creates a misty, Paris-in-August atmosphere.

Further along the map, the mood shifts from rave to relaxation.

The Anantara World Islands resort offers a Maldives-on-Sea escape full of private pools, beachfront villas and pampering sessions.

Guests can even have breakfast served in their own pool.

There are also 133 floating seahorse villas, making up a £5billion floating city in the middle of the sea.

This new wave of luxury comes as Dubai doubles down on its quest to be the world’s go-to playground for the rich and restless.

More resorts and mansions are set to come through soon.

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Even a former “dead” island, ‘Chile’, is now hosting parties, while another has been reborn as ‘Zuhha Island’ with luxury villas on sale.

The World Islands were once written off as an embarrassing folly, but the new development is bound to be a game changer for the cities’ already bustling tourist scene.

WANT to snap up a holiday next year for less? TUI Black Friday sale has something for every budget.

Whether you’re looking to book some New Year winter sun or next summer’s break, there are great deals to be had.

With TUI, you can bag Black Friday discount codes for offers that cover departure dates from January 1, 2026 to October 31, 2027.

Simply bookmark the Black Friday sales page at tui.co.uk, browse the discount codes, apply them to the trip of your choice and save big.

The world is your oyster – but where to go?

Long haul or short?