Sun Club

IT nurtured some of our broadcasting greats, from Terry Wogan and Tony Blackburn to Chris Moyles and Zoe Ball.

But now staff at BBC Radio 1 fear the station is crumbling beyond recognition.

This week it was announced that long-standing duo Melvin Odoom and Rickie Haywood-Williams will be departing, while DJs Dean McCullough, Nat O’Leary, James Cusack and Swarzy are also on their way out.

Meanwhile, social media stars GK Barry and Charley Marlowe are set to come in as part of a shake-up.

And lesser-known DJs Mylo & Rosie, as well as Emil Franchi, have landed bigger slots.

Insiders say tensions at the flagship youth station reached fever pitch after the comings and goings were announced on Wednesday, with some staffers claiming they only learnt of the changes when the BBC press office made them public.

“To say the handling of this feels like an absolute mess is an understatement,” one told The Sun.

“Some producers had no idea their talent was leaving. One of Melvin and Rickie’s team wasn’t told about the changes until they saw the email.

“They’d been on the station for seven years. So to see them suddenly off out of the back door was really upsetting. The atmosphere was chaotic and some staff were absolutely shellshocked.”

The changes have been met with hostility from listeners, many of whom took to social media to vent their anger.

One Radio 1 listener wrote on Instagram: “This is so disappointing.

“Both GK Barry and Charley Marlowe are incredibly talented at their craft but it’s so discouraging to see BBC Radio 1 providing these opportunities to host to already established presenters when there are so many people looking to break into the industry.”

Another was not happy with “clearing out DJs for social media ‘stars’,” while a third added: “Why is R1 on a self-sabotage mission by bringing in a load of social media ‘stars’ and godawful local radio DJs?”

An emotional staffer told us that a meeting, which was said to have included long-standing radio producers, was called to discuss the changes after the announcements were made.

They explained: “There is a weekly meeting on a Wednesday at Radio 1, but this week they called a second meeting where people were invited to speak up.

“A fair few people put their hands up to raise concerns.

“The main bone of contention was why Radio 1 appeared keen to say goodbye to established broadcasters and replace them with YouTubers and TikTokers.

“Much of the blame is being laid at the door of the big boss, Aled Haydn Jones. Some of the staff are so unhappy.”

Aled was a DJ on Radio 1 between 2009 and 2015 before he succeeded Ben Cooper as head of the station in 2020.

Insiders say he prides himself on championing new talent and is behind the raft of influencers joining the line-up, including GK, who came fifth in 2024’s I’m A Celeb.

Her arrival, alongside social media sensation Charley, has allegedly more than ruffled feathers.

“These influencers are lovely but they’re not radio geeks like most of the DJs who work at Radio 1,” one staffer explained.

“Working at Radio 1 is the dream job for any budding broadcaster who has put in the hard yards on student radio or local stations.

“It was held up as the pinnacle by so many people.

“But now it’s being eroded by this desperation to bring in ‘new’ talent that they think will bring in a new audience.

“The producers who work on these shows are so upset at what is happening.

“A couple have already decided to walk away. And it won’t be long before others start jumping ship.”

Another staffer added: “Aled seems to think social media is going to save Radio 1, but where’s the proof?

“Audience figures are down and they think the way to save it is by plugging the gap with people who are popular on the internet.

“That’s all well and good, but will their millions of followers start tuning into Radio 1 just to listen to them? It’s doubtful.

“Their fans already have access to their content at the touch of a button and that is a daily habit.

“Making them carve out a new habit of listening to them every day is incredibly difficult.”

Launched in 1967, Radio 1 was born out of the need to compete with the rise of pirate radio stations which had become hugely popular.

Legendary broadcaster Tony Blackburn was the first DJ to broadcast on the new station.

It grew into a juggernaut of the airwaves, commanding audiences of ten million for some shows and making huge stars out of presenters including Chris Evans, Simon Mayo and Sara Cox.

But as listening habits change, audiences across the BBC and commercial stations are decreasing.

Figures at the start of this year confirmed that the weekly audience reach across BBC radio stations is in steady decline.

In the final quarter of 2025, Radio 1’s weekly audience reach dropped by six per cent compared to the same period last year.

But bosses were keen to stress that their target market of 15 to 29-year-olds was consuming Radio 1 in different ways.

In that same final quarter, the station boasted more than 329million views on social media and Radio 1’s YouTube videos have had more than 6.1billion views.

But one BBC employee said: “It’s not just young people that listen to Radio 1.

“There is a decent percentage of listeners that are older.

“They have stuck with the station since they were young and they tune in to listen to DJs they have known and loved for years. Putting some influencers in their places, regardless of how well known they are, won’t translate as well.

“Many people working at Radio 1 think Aled is making a mistake if he carries on in this vein.”

The remaining jewel in the Radio 1 crown is Breakfast Show host Greg James.

Greg, 40, took over the coveted role from Nick Grimshaw in 2018 and pulls in more than four million listeners, making it the No1 Breakfast Show for young people across the country. But a well-placed insider revealed that BBC Radio 2 — the nation’s biggest station — was keen to bring him on board.

“Greg had meetings with Radio 2 and they were testing the water in a bid to poach him,” a source claimed.

“When Scott Mills left Radio 2’s Breakfast Show and Sara Cox took over, there was a lot of talk at Broadcasting House about whether Greg would make the move. But he’s definitely staying on board at Radio 1 for now.

“To lose Greg would have been horrendous because he is such a figurehead at Radio 1.

“Thankfully, he’s remaining in place.”

The Sun understands some staffers are now considering jumping ship with the departing talent.

And the blame is being solely laid at Aled’s door.

“Aled has been massacring the schedules and the method isn’t working,” one staffer said.

“The feeling is that he is ruining Radio 1 and it is heartbreaking.

“It feels like the craft of making radio isn’t being respected and the people behind the scenes who craft this magic for the audience aren’t being treated with the respect they deserve. Radio 1 used to be the best station to work at, with the most talented pool of people and the most incredible presenters.

“It’s like a shadow of what it once was.”

A BBC spokesman said: “Radio 1 is proud to be the number one station for young audiences and has a strong track record of supporting and developing young and emerging radio talent, with a huge majority of presenters having come through the station’s own initiatives and opportunities.

“Alongside Radio 1’s commitment to nurturing new voices, there will always be a home for DJs with specialist music knowledge and talent from a diverse range of backgrounds who we know resonate with our young audience.”

NOTHING beats the pure joy of a family summer trip to a theme park or waterpark.

Except, of course, when you can stay there overnight for cheap and continue the thrills the next day.

Waking up on the doorstep of world-class rollercoasters and giant wave pools makes a family getaway all the more magical – plus it means you can skip the drive home after a long day of fun.

From beach cabana-themed hotel rooms to seeing giraffes out of your window on safari stays, these theme parks and family resorts have fantastic accommodation options.

Here’s our pick of the best family breaks to book at the UK’s top theme parks and waterparks, with budget-friendly deals starting from an incredible £2.44 per person per night.

Alton Towers Resort, Staffordshire

Alton Towers Resort in Staffordshire is a favourite among theme park fanatics, and it’s clear to see why.

The resort boasts world-class rollercoasters like Nemesis with its relentless G-force, and The Smiler, which holds the Guinness World Record for the rollercoaster with the most inversions.

But did you know that Alton Towers has its own waterpark and multiple hotels on-site, too?

While the resort’s woodland lodges, stargazing pods and luxury treehouses offer a fairytale-style escape, a stay at their Splash Landings hotel puts you on the doorstep of the on-site waterpark.

The Caribbean-inspired Splash Landings has playfully-styled family rooms, ranging from tropical beach hut themes to a unique ice cave room, and places you mere steps from the waterpark.

The hotel’s waterpark stretches both indoors and outdoors, and has bucketloads to do for families.

Thrill-seekers will love the Master Blaster water coaster, while those with little ones can relax in the gentle ‘Bubbly Wubbly pool’.

Butlin’s

With three seaside resorts in Bognor Regis, Minehead and Skegness, Butlin’s is a classic choice for a UK family getaway.

Entry to each resort’s waterpark, Splash Waterworld, is included in the price of a Butlin’s break.

With a theme that ‘brings the best of the British seaside inside’, at the Bognor Regis pool you’ll find a Helter Skelter waterslide and the Stick of Rock slides.

Meanwhile at Minehead, you can whirl around a huge space bowl, shoot down the speedy Blue Comet flume, or simply drift along the relaxing lazy river.

Over in Skegness, the waterpark boasts nearly 3,000 square metres of pool and play areas, which includes outdoor river rapids and a 60ft tall Vortex fast flume.

Not to mention each site has its own fairground, where access is also included in the price of your break.

Here you’ll find classic rides like carousels and waltzers all the way up to the Super Swing at Skegness, which drops you at a 27 degree angle.

Chessington World of Adventures

Chessington World of Adventures Resort in Surrey is the ultimate choice for a high-energy family holiday.

The park is home to over 40 rides and attractions, including the hair-raising Vampire rollercoaster and the dizzying, spinning coaster Dragon’s Fury.

Exploring the World of Jumanji feels like stepping straight into a movie screen, where you can ride Mandrill Mayhem – the world’s only ‘launched wing coaster’ that rushes backwards and forwards past a giant jaguar.

The resort has two themed hotels located just a short walk from the theme park gates.

At the Safari Hotel, wake up and look out over the Wanyama Reserve, where you can watch giraffes, zebras, and ostriches roam past your window.

Over at the Azteca Hotel, families can sleep inside a mystical jungle temple, with beautifully-decorated rooms that would make any kid feel like a real explorer. Some rooms even have slides inside.

Big Blue Hotel – Blackpool Pleasure Beach Resort

Blackpool‘s seafront theme park Pleasure Beach boasts legendary coasters like the Big One, which drops brave riders from a staggering 213ft, and Aviktas, a new gyro-swing ride which opened earlier this summer.

Little ones aren’t left out either, thanks to the dedicated Nickelodeon Land, where they can ride the Rugrats Lost River and meet characters like SpongeBob SquarePants.

To turn your theme park day into a weekend stay, the four-star Big Blue Hotel sits right on the edge of the park and offers a stylish and family-friendly place to retreat to.

Many hotel rooms offer breathtaking, front-seat views of the rollercoasters swooping past.

Plus the hotel even has its own private entrance to Pleasure Beach, and offers free theme park tickets from Sundays to Fridays.

Here you’re also only 10 minutes’ walk from Sandcastle Waterpark, with 18 waterslides and a tropical climate.

Legoland Windsor Resort

Legoland is absolutely packed with immersive lands and kid-friendly rides – plus the on-site hotels and waterpark are just the cherry on top.

Soar through the air on Flight of the Sky Lion in Lego Mythica land, or race against a pal on the high-speed Minifigure Speedway coaster.

But the adventure doesn’t end when the theme park gates close, thanks to the resort’s spectacular themed hotels.

At the Legoland Resort Hotel, you can sleep inside fully immersive rooms styled around Lego Pirates, Ninjago, or Kingdom adventures.

At the luxurious Castle Hotel, choose between mystical wizard and brave knight suites.

There is also the tranquil Woodland Village, which offers a relaxed escape in cosy lodges (yes, these also fit the Lego theme) and circular camping barrels.

The resort also has several outdoor splash zones that are perfect for a sunny day.

Over in DUPLO Valley, kids can tackle Drench Towers – the largest water play structure in the UK packed with colourful slides and tipping buckets.

Splash Safari, on the other hand, has interactive water jets and large DUPLO animal figures that are perfect for little ones.

TLH Leisure Resort, Devon

While not strictly on-site, sunny Devon‘s TLH Leisure Resort has four mega hotels to pick from, and is just 10 minutes from the UK’s largest outdoor waterpark.

The TLH Derwent Hotel is the biggest, with the Starlight Lounge providing sparkling evening entertainment like cabaret and bingo nights.

The TLH Victoria Hotel is an elegant option with two large ballrooms, and it regularly hosts dance stays and evening soirées.

The TLH Carlton Hotel is home to the Aztec Spa, with multiple swimming pools, a gym, and pampering treatments like Elemis facials and deep-tissue massage.

While at the hotel you’ll have access to both indoor and outdoor pools, plus the spa with its sauna, hot tub and steam room, the waterpark here is just down the road in Paignton.

Splashdown Quaywest is the UK’s largest outdoor waterpark, and it sits next door to the golden sands of Goodrington beach.

The waterpark has adrenaline-pumping slides like the Devil’s Drop, where you plummet 65ft down into a black hole, and The Screamer, a high-speed slide that will take your breath away.

Plus kids will love clambering and climbing around Shipwreck Island – a new, giant themed play area in the water.

SAT in the BBC studio chatting about the World Cup, Wayne Rooney looked like half the man he was just a few months ago.

And as the coverage continues, whispers of fat jabs being behind his transformation are growing louder by the day. Here, insiders reveal what’s really going on with the former footballer – and the part played by his wife Coleen.

The Sun understands that the 40-year-old’s new look was masterminded by Coleen ahead of his big punditry gig.

Our insider explained: “Coleen knew Wayne wasn’t happy with the way he looked and how important this gig was for him, so she put him on a diet and exercise regime before he flew out to the US. He’s 40 now, so it felt like now or never.

“She has been encouraging him to work out with her in their home gym. They also have a PT who has been round to help him.

“Then there has been facials and various other treatments to make sure he’s looking his best and, of course, they went on a big shopping spree to make sure he looked super smart.”

It’s paid off – World Cup viewers have been very distracted by his appearance, with many questioning what his secret is.

One person asked: “Has Wayne Rooney been on the jabs lol .” 

Another joked: “He’s on the jabs, he’s on the jabs, Wayne Rooney is shredding the fat!”

Someone else added: “Rooney suddenly looks like a 30 year old.”

It’s thought Wayne has in fact been following the macro diet, which involves tracking the intake of three essential macronutrients – proteins, fats, and carbohydrates.

It’s certainly a stark contrast from the old Wayne, who famously had a McDonald’s before his Premier League debut for Everton and even took Ronaldo for a drive-thru when he arrived in Manchester.

He was also known for his love of his favourite Chinese – Wings in Manchester – which he has visited for decades. 

During his stint managing Plymouth Argyle we’re told he loved a local pasty. 

In 2013, Coleen – who was just 19 and new to Wag life – raised eyebrows when she insisted he had a healthy diet. 

“They all think Wayne’s a big fat person and eats burgers every day, which he’s not, and I don’t know where they get it from,” she said.

“It does my head in because people really believe that. His favourite food is lettuce. He loves salad.” 

It’s not just food that has changed for Wayne now though, he has cut down on booze.

Wayne has been very open about his struggles with alcohol in the past – at times drinking for two days straight.

He has said: “I’ve had many challenges, both on and off the pitch, and my escape was alcohol.”

He credits Coleen, his wife of 18 years, for saving him thanks to supporting him throughout it all.

“I honestly believe if she weren’t there I’d be dead,” he told the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast. “I’ve made mistakes in the past which are well documented and whatever but I’m a little bit different at times and she keeps me on that path and she’s done it for 20-odd years. 

“I wanted to go out and enjoy my time with my friends and have a night out. It got to a point where I went too far – that was a moment in my life where I was struggling massively with alcohol. I didn’t think I could turn to anyone. I didn’t really want to because I didn’t want to put that burden on anyone. 

“I just drank for two days straight. Come training and at the weekend I’d score two goals and then I’d go back and go and drink for two days straight again. She’s helped me control that massively. She’s managed me because I needed managing.” 

Coleen has definitely put a shift in over the years with Wayne – aside from the troubling infidelity rumours, public booze battle and tumultuous career on the pitch, but we’re told the couple have actually never been happier.

Ever since I’m A Celebrity, Coleen has become the main breadwinner and the family have landed a 10-part Disney show – and it’s had a huge positive impact on Wayne. 

Our insider added: “Coleen can’t get enough of the new Wayne. She’s really proud of him and it’s reignited a flame. She fancies him more than ever.” 

ALWAYS dreamed of turning left as you board the aeroplane, but don’t have the cash to splash on business class flights?

Airlines will rarely dish out a swish upgrade for birthdays or weddings nowadays, but there are some clever ways of bagging one without spending a penny.

Or if you do have a little cash to spare, there are more affordable ways of doing it.

The below hacks have been tried and tested by regular travellers, including myself – and anyone can give them a go.

Here are the five best ways to score yourself a flight upgrade WITHOUT spending thousands.

1. START COLLECTING POINTS

Most people think airline points are just for frequent flyers, but this couldn’t be further from the truth.

And if you accumulate enough points, you’ll be able to upgrade yourself essentially for free.

I’ve been collecting Avios for a couple of years now and I’ve accumulated enough points to upgrade on every one of my upcoming flights to both short and long haul destinations.

They can be spent on a fair few mega airlines, including British Airways, Qatar Airways and Iberia.

There’s truly no big secret, or catch, you can just collect points by doing your weekly shop, catching the train or filling up with petrol.

Start by reading my comprehensive guide on how to maximise your points.

Once you start incorporating points collection into your daily routine, you’ll be raking them in in a matter of months.

When it comes to Avios upgrades, you can only bump yourself up one cabin class (so if you’re flying economy, you can move up to premium) and not all flights can be upgraded.

There has to be availability, too. So if the flight is looking chocka block, you may not get the chance.

You won’t have to pay any cash for the actual upgrade, but you will have to pay the difference in taxes as it costs the airline more in mandatory charges to fly passengers in upper class cabins.

2. ALWAYS BOOK PREMIUM ECONOMY

If you have the money to book a premium economy seat, this massively boosts your chances of moving up. 

According to a cabin crew member: “It’s the smallest cabin and the most likely to get oversold. 

“And if you hold airline status or a credit card linked to the airline then you are typically the one that gets the operational bump up.”

The leap in price from premium economy to business can be pretty hefty if you’re paying for it outright at the beginning of the booking.

But by comparison, the price jump from economy up to premium economy is much smaller, so it’s certainly a more affordable way of doing it if you can spare that extra cash.

Get yourself an airline credit card, especially if you tend to fly with one specific airline (I have the British Airways AMEX), and climb the status ladder.

If you’re travelling solo, this only boosts your chances for logistical reasons. Airlines won’t just upgrade one member of a party.

If the flight is overbooked and there is only one seat left in business, the person travelling on their own is most likely to get the bump if several travellers have status.

It’s the easiest and most simple solution for the airline.

3. PLAY UPGRADE CHICKEN

Sometimes it pays to play the risk game, but it is a gamble.

If you’ve got a bit of spare cash and the flight is relatively empty, it might be worth leaving your upgrade until the last possible moment.

Regular traveller and boss of PR firm Florence & Fable, Florence Bate tried this hack when flying from Bermuda to London Gatwick with British Airways – and it paid off.

She said: “It was about four or five years ago. I asked to upgrade at the check-in desk when I first arrived at the airport.

“I think I remember it being around £200 at that time.

“Then I waited until the gate, just before boarding the plane, and it was £60. I upgraded there and then to premium economy, nothing fancy. 

“I just think if you never ask, you’ll never know. Ask at all check-in points and hope for the best!”

4. FLY AT QUIET TIMES OR BE FLEXIBLE

Having some movement to your travel plans, or intentionally selecting a less popular time to fly or month to visit that destination can sometimes pay off.

If your flight is overbooked and you volunteer to take a later flight, the airline and ground staff will be extremely grateful – because you’ve put yourself out, they’ll be more likely to put you at the top of the list for a space available upgrade, or at the very least give you a free glass of champers on board.

If there’s plenty of space, then your chances are higher, too.

Skyscanner’s travel expert Laura Lindsay said:  “There’s no hard or fast rule and it will all depend on the airline operator and availability.

“Travelling at quieter times, arriving early, or maintaining airline loyalty may help your chances.”

5. KINDNESS IS KEY

Although it’s far rarer these days to see spontaneous upgrades, it still pays to be kind. You never know how your generosity may be rewarded.

Frequent flyer Sally Jones is a regular at this hack and claims she’s benefited from it every time she’s flown.

She said: “Bringing chocolate, sweets or a gift for the cabin crew always does the trick.

“It might not necessarily get you the full upgrade but it does regularly get you perks. 

“My family does this a lot and we often get a free glass of bubbly or special treatment.”

One Sun reader reports to have actually bagged the upgrade, but only after doing some extensive digging.

They said: “I found out which crew were on board the plane and had gotten some advice from a friend.

“This friend does work at the airline I was flying with, so I’d had a tip off that one particular staff member liked those Tony’s chocolate bars.

“I asked for them my name when I stepped on board and handed them the chocolate, next thing I know I was being whisked to the front of the plane. It was only a very short flight, but it still felt glam.”

IF YOU’RE dreaming of a late summer holiday but holding off until the Three Lions finish their World Cup run, let me give you some free advice: stop playing chicken with the booking button.

Because I work in travel, my screen is constantly locked onto live booking data, and I’ve been crunching the numbers from Euro 2024 and the last World Cup, comparing tournament months against normal years, and the trend is identical.

The second England gets knocked out (or in this year’s case, hopefully lifts the trophy) the market goes completely mental.

Millions of Brits who put their summer plans on ice to watch the football suddenly rush to the package holiday sites at the exact same time.

And according to the data, this massive surge forces package prices to spike five to eight per cent above normal seasonal baselines within hours.

Whether we lose to Argentina on Wednesday or go all the way, demand is going to flood the market.

So if you still fancy a summer holiday this year but haven’t yet booked, you need to beat the post-tournament rush.

And here’s exactly where the data suggests prices are about to climb fastest.

5. Antalya, Turkey

Turkey always reacts aggressively after a major tournament, especially around the Antalya coast where all-inclusive packages dominate.

Our data shows that the moment football fever breaks, resorts like Alanya experience an immediate eight per cent price hike above the normal baseline.

You could stay at the Lemas Suites Hotel Side, which is a cracking value base right near the harbour, but my favourite thing about this hotel is its private river-boat shuttle.

The property sits slightly back from the coast on the side of the Manavgat river, and they run a free, regular boat service that drops you directly onto their private sandy beach lot, completely cutting out the sweaty August coastal walk.

On the Beach offers a five-night stay from August 22 at Lemas Suites Hotel Side, including return flights from Manchester Airport, from £355pp.

4. Canary Islands, Spain

The Canaries are Britain’s ultimate safety net for guaranteed summer sun, which makes them prime targets for the post-football booking surge.

The data shows that Fuerteventura’s Caleta de Fuste climbs a massive 17 per cent above normal rates post-tournament, while Matagorda in Lanzarote jumps by 13 per cent.

But, fear not, because you can check in to Club Tenerife in Los Cristianos.

And because the hotel’s built directly into a sheltered hillside, the main sun terraces are entirely shielded from the standard high-summer Atlantic winds that plague the flat beachfront hotels, giving you a proper, peaceful sunbathing setup.

On the Beach offers a five-night stay from August 22 at Club Tenerife in Los Cristianos, including return flights from Liverpool Airport, for £318pp.

3. Crete, Greece

Crete is another major mover in our holiday tracking, with the family-heavy resort of Kato Gouves seeing a massive 24 per cent price surge the second England exits a tournament.

You could stay at Ourania Apartments in Kato Gouves – this hotel’s an absolute peach of a pick too. 

Every week, the family hosts an incredible local souvlaki night where they cook everything over open coals right in the central courtyard, serving up an elite, authentic Cretan feast for a fraction of what you’d pay at the beachfront tourist spots.

Where do I sign?

On the Beach offers a five-night stay from August 22 at Ourania Apartments in Kato Gouves, including return flights from Manchester Airport, from £383pp.

2. Costa Brava, Spain

As you’d expect, Spain always runs hot after the football finishes – but the Costa Brava sees some of the steepest climbs on the board, specifically, the resort of Calella routinely records package prices sitting 25 per cent higher than normal once the tournament wraps up.

You could head to MedPlaya Esmeraldas Aparthotel in Tossa de Mar, for example.

These apartments are exceptionally modern, but the best feature here is the private underground walkway that links the complex directly to the beachfront avenue.

It means you can wander from your living room to the sand in about two minutes without ever having to cross the busy main resort traffic.

On the Beach offers a five-night stay from August 22 at MedPlaya Esmeraldas Aparthotel in Tossa de Mar, including return flights from London Gatwick, for £283pp.

1. Costa Blanca, Spain

The undisputed heavyweight of post-tournament price surges is the Costa Blanca.

Cala de Finestrat routinely explodes by 32 per cent above normal rates, while Albir climbs by 18 per cent.

Even Benidorm, despite its massive hotel capacity, jumps five per cent overnight.

You could opt for five-nights to the Jardin Milenio Hotel in Elche for under £300pp and for peak August, that is an unbelievable data loophole.

The standout feature here is that the hotel is located directly inside the famous Palmeral of Elche – a massive, UNESCO-protected tropical palm grove.

It means the entire pool area is surrounded by thousands of ancient palm trees, giving you a lush, high-end Caribbean resort aesthetic for less than three hundred quid.

On the Beach offers a five-night stay from August 22 at Jardin Milenio Hotel in Elche, including return flights from London Luton for £268pp.

FORGET Cornwall, Suffolk, and Lincolnshire. When it comes to UK holiday counties, one truly has it all.

As a travel writer and devoted local, I’ve explored the country’s top destinations – but nothing beats my home county.

Imagine the coastline and charm of Cornwall, but without the summer crowds.

Devon truly has it all – from the UK’s biggest outdoor waterpark and a stunning National Park to endless coastal paths and top-tier beaches.

And thanks to the Government’s new Great British Summer Savings scheme, spending time in Devon this summer is cheaper than ever.

If you’re planning a staycation, read on for my favourite spots. As a travel writer and a local, I’ve pulled together the ultimate guide to the hidden gems you won’t want to miss.

There are even some of The Sun’s £9.50 holiday parks in here too…

Best pubs

The Drum Inn, Cockington

Nestled in the picture-postcard village of Cockington, The Drum Inn. is a must-visit.

While its giant thatched roof feels like something straight out of a fairy tale, the real magic happens on scorching summer days, as its expansive garden is the ultimate sun trap.

If you need a break from the heat, head inside, where the pub manages to keep its cosy, historic charm alive all year round.

Church House Inn, Marldon

The Church House Inn , set in the village of Marldon, is one of my favourite watering holes.

Steeped in 14th-century history, this award-winning inn is a Devon legend.

It was the first pub in Devon to be listed in the Michelin Pub Guide and has been voted Devon’s Best Country Pub by readers of Devon Life magazine.

While it has a pristine beer garden ideal for soaking up the sun while sipping on a spritz. You can also get cosy and enjoy a roast by the fire in the winter.

Court Farm Inn, Abbotskerswell

The Court Farm Inn in Abbotskerswell has to hands down be one of the prettiest pubs in Devon.

The boozer used to be a farmhouse, built back in the 16th century.

Today, you still see exposed stone walls inside.

Make sure to grab one of the local ciders and head to the garden to enjoy the architecture even more.

The Thatch, Croyde

On a day trip or staycation in Croyde (see beaches section), make sure to drop into The Thatch, which boasts a rather impressive 2,000 four and five-star reviews.

The pub sells both classic dishes and dishes with a twist, and makes for the perfect spot after a day at the beach.

Samuel Jones, Exeter

When exploring the city of Exeter, head into the Samuel Jones pub which sits on the edge of Exeter Quay.

The slightly more industrial-style pub is a great spot for enjoying a pint and either watching sports games on big screens or the swans swimming outside.

The Highwayman Inn, Sourton

The Highwayman Inn is located near Sourton, on the edge of Dartmoor National Park.

often dubbed Britain’s most quirky watering hole, – it has a horse-drawn carriage for a front door and is home to a sunken galleon.

The pub, which was first built in 1282, features a Tudor-style exterior and on the inside hosts a fairy tale pumpkin house and a fire breathing dragon.

Inside the hallways are covered in an array of eclectic artefacts and objects, collected over several decades by former landlord Buster Jones.

Oh.. and it’s meant to be haunted too.

Old Fire House, Exeter

In the city centre you should pay a visit to the Old Fire House pub which used to be a 19th century fire station.

You can expect an original vaulted wooden-beamed ceiling and exposed stone walls.

And it hosts great late-night events with oversized 14-inch square pizzas.

Best hotels and holiday parks

Hotel Indigo, Torquay

Hotel Indigo Torquay by IHG is one of the newest hotels on the English Riviera and cost £23million to develop.

Having recently stayed, it is easily in the best location to explore the English Riviera.

The hotel itself looks like a giant cruise ship and sits just across the road from the beach.

Inside the hotel is super stylish, with a modern Art Deco luxury vibe.

Make sure to head to the rooftop bar if you are staying there, with amazing views across the sea and coast.

A standard king-size room for two people including breakfast starts from £83 per night.

Golden Coast Holiday Park, Woolacombe

Woolacombe is a great spot for a family staycation thanks to its expansive beach.

And Golden Coast Leisure Park, which is just five minutes from the beach is a top spot to stay at.

At the holiday park there are high ropes, a climbing wall, adventure golf, go-karts and a whole host of other activities.

If you want to test your surfing abilities, there is even the Wave Surfer.

And running until August 10, you can even book the holiday park with The Sun’s Hols from £9.50 – sign up by joining Sun Club for £1.99 per month, then go to the Sun Club Offers hub and find the Hols from £9.50 page.

Best walks

South West Coast Path

Growing up halfway between the coast and the countryside, I’ve never struggled to find a spectacular walk.

The South West Coast Path – which recently featured in The Salt Path film – can fill an entire day out with tonnes of beautiful beaches to explore.

While some of the path is rocky, most is accessible and one of my favourite things to do is drop in and out of the path to explore different parts of the coast at a time.

Dartmoor National Park

Despite all the incredible beaches Dartmoor National Park is always my preferred spot for a walk.

You could visit hundreds of times (which I have) and never experience the same walk twice.

For an easier or more accessible walk, head to Haytor – it takes about 10 minutes up to the rocks from the lower car park (where you’ll also find a visitor centre) or a few minutes from the smaller, higher car park.

For something more challenging, venture away from the roads and you’ll find stone circles and the abandoned ruins of ancient villages.

Note – if you do venture away from the roads, you should be a confident hiker as the terrain is rough and unpredictable.

But there are also many small car parks on the roads with quick walks to nearby Tors.

Make sure to keep an eye out for the famous Dartmoor Ponies as well.

The best villages & towns

Cockington

Cockington in Torquay was recently named one of the prettiest places for a day trip or staycation in the UK this summer by The Independent.

The publication dubbed it a “chocolate-box village” and said the “old thatched cottages, rural countryside and Cockington Court manor house are sure to charm”.

I always head here in the summer and enjoy looking at the pretty cottages and pristine gardens.

It is only a five minute drive from the seafront as well.

Sat at the crossroads in the middle of the village you’ll find a low-roof thatched cottage selling traditional horse brasses – an item that links to Cockington’s long history as a blacksmith’s forge.

Opposite is Sanctuary Coffee – a small coffee shop that also sells gifts and doggy items, from adorable bandanas to handcrafted toys.

And for my fave spot, head to Weavers Cottage Tea Garden, which sells the best afternoon teas around.

A cream tea costs £7.95 for a fruit or plain scone, with strawberry or handmade raspberry jam and a pot of tea.

Then if you want a cheese tea, this costs £8.45 and you get a choice of cheddar or cream cheese to go with it, as well as either chilli jam or red onion chutney – or without the tea it costs £5.50.

Just remember the golden rule of a Devonshire cream tea is to pop the cream on the scone first, then the jam.

There’s also a visitor centre where you can learn about the history of the village and Cockington Court, which is full of local makers selling everything from baked cakes, jewellery and handmade lamps.

Totnes

Totnes in south Devon is a pretty market town that is full of independent shops and cafes, a thriving market and a motte-and-bailey castle.

Wander up the high street and you will find multiple bookshops, charity shops with great finds, cosy cafes and pubs and a tonne of unique homewares shops.

There’s also Totnes Castle, which is one of the best preserved Norman motte-and-bailey castles in the UK.

Don’t miss the market on a Friday and Saturday either – it brings the town to life with antiques stalls, rug makers, food vendors and more.

Topsham

Topsham is like stepping into a village straight out of Harry Potter, but with a Dutch nod.

Every corner of the town is full of charm and is the ideal place for those who love hunting for antiques.

For example, there’s Quay Antiques which is a huge warehouse with 65 antiques sellers spread across three floors.

The town used to be involved heavily in the wool trade during the late 17th and early 18th centuries and houses along Topsham’s Strand look like Dutch merchant houses.

Babbacombe

Between Dawlish and Torquay, make sure to head to Babbacombe.

Often overshadowed by its more popular neighbours on the English Riviera, Babbacombe used to be a fishing village and today remains a quaint town.

Below the town’s cliffs you’ll find Babbacombe Beach, which boasts shingle and calm waters.

Babbacombe Downs sits above the beach and has a promenade which is thought to be the highest in England.

You can also head to Oddicombe Beach, by hopping on the Babbacombe Cliff Railway, which has been operating for a century.

As a kid, I loved heading on the 200-metre cliff railway that feels like you’re stepping back in time.

Biggest Attractions

Kents Cavern

Explore caves that date back millions of years in Kents Cavern.

Inside the caves, you can learn about their history and even their early inhabitants including woolly mammoths.

And you can sneak a peak at bones discovered in the caves as well.

The best part of the tour? When the guide blows the candle out to reveal just how dark the caves are…

Tickets cost from £21.50 per person.

Crealy Theme Park

Just outside of Exeter, make sure to head to Crealy Theme Park which has over 60 rides and attractions.

My personal favourite is Tidal Wave Log Flume – but be warned you’ll get soaked.

There are also animals to meet and shows to enjoy at the park.

For when the weather isn’t great, you can head indoors for a number of play areas as well.

And to make this summer even better, there is a new ride opening on July 31 called Rotor which will be the South West’s first inverted ride.

Tickets cost £18 per person.

Woodlands Family Theme Park

Woodlands is the largest family theme park in the South West of England, stretching across 100 acres.

And despite having been 20 plus times, I never got bored of the attraction.

Do you know what is even better? The theme park is great whatever the weather.

Inside you will find a number of play areas including a giant soft play for little ones.

Then outside you can expect water coasters, toboggan runs and toddlers’ rides.

My favourite part was always the barn where you could meet farm animals up close.

Tickets cost from £20 per adult and £15 per child.

The Big Sheep

In North Devon, head to The BIG Sheep which is an animal-themed family amusement park, near Bideford.

You can expect funny live shows and large indoor play areas.

The best part is of course, as the name suggests, the sheep sheep racing, live shearing and lamb bottle-feeding – which I can confirm is one of the cutest activities for kids.

For those who like to have their adrenaline pumping, jump on Rampage Rollercoaster which is North Devon’s biggest rollercoaster.

Tickets cost from £14.95.

The Milky Way Adventure Park

The Milky Way Adventure Park near Bideford, also has a great mix of indoor and outdoor attractions.

The theme park boasts a number of outer space-themed rides, including The Cosmic Typhoon rollercoaster which spins around.

There is an interactive play area too called Ziggy’s Blast Quest, which is a laser-shooting ride.

Tickets cost from £17.46 per person.

Splashdown Quaywest

One of my favourite summer days out on the south coast of Devon is at the UK’s biggest outdoor waterpark – Splashdown Quaywest Waterpark.

The waterpark sits on Goodrington Sands Beach in Paignton and is home to 11 slides as well as a giant pirate-themed water playground, which is perfect for kids under 12-years-old.

Shipwreck Island has seven smaller slides, tipping buckets and interactive water features such as spray arms.

Tickets cost from £27.15 per person.

RHS Rosemoor

Who doesn’t love exploring a pretty garden in bloom?

RHS Garden Rosemoor in North Devon is spread across 65 acres, between Dartmoor and Exmoor National Parks.

These are 250 different rose varieties in the gardens, as well as the exotic garden which feels more like a jungle.

There is a canopy walk too, with a stream running through it.

Tickets cost from £15.70 per adult and £6 per child.

Free things to do

House of Marbles

The House of Marbles near Bovey Tracey is a great rainy day out.

The visitor attraction is actually at a toy manufacturer that was founded back in the 70s.

Inside, there are traditional board games, glass marbles, classic toys and workshops.

As a little girl I always enjoyed watching the marbles run around different tracks including one of the largest marble runs in the UK.

And you can spend endless time in the four museums which showcase the history of marbles, board games and glassworks.

There’s a great gift shop and an outdoor play area too.

Haldon Forest Park

For more outdoorsy families, Haldon Forest Park is a must.

Around 15 minutes from Exeter, Haldon Forest feels like being somewhere in Europe.

The forest is home to a tonne of trails to explore, among the towering trees.

Lots of the trails are for cycling too and you don’t need to bring your own bike either – you can just hire one.

For those more adventurous there’s also Go Ape courses, play areas and picnic spots.

The Donkey Sanctuary

Who doesn’t think a donkey is cute? And what is cuter than a load of rescued donkeys?

216 in total, to be precise…

Found in the countryside near Sidmouth, the sanctuary makes for a wholesome day out.

After meeting the resident donkeys, you can explore the gardens or head to informative talks.

There is of course a shop and a cafe too.

Geoplay Park

Right on Paignton Seafront, you can head to Geoplay Park, with climbing frames, trampolines, a climbing net and sand and water play areas.

There are a number of picnic benches scattered around too for parents to sit back and keep an eye on their little ones play.

And in addition to being next to the beach, the pier is just over the road for more free fun with lots of 2p slot machines.

Decoy Country Park

In the town of Newton Abbot, you’ll find Decoy Country Park which is a Green Flag awarded nature reserve.

In the middle of the reserve is a huge lake, that used to be a clay quarry and has a depth of 33 metres at its deepest point.

There is a circular walk around the lake which is nice and shady so ideal for hot summer days.

And if you then want to cool off even more, head kayaking on the lake (and enjoy knocking people into the water).

There is also a large playground at the park with ziplines and a splash pad.

And then for older kids, there are a number of BMX tracks to venture off on.

Fossil Hunting

Devon is home to some brilliant spots for fossil hunting thanks to its dramatic coastline.

And one free activity I loved growing up (and admittedly still do now) is fossil hunting.

There are several spots that are well-known for it in the region including Hopes Nose, Croyde Bay, Daddy Hole.

I would recommend checking out ukfossils.co.uk for some great guides on the best spots and what they have to offer.

Lidos

Teignmouth Lido

Recently saved from possible closure, Teignmouth Lido is a great addition to a day trip in the town of Teignmouth.

The lido is surrounded by a patio and grass area ideal for sunbathing and picnics.

The pool measures 25-metres-long and between May and September there are usually a whole host of events on.

If you just fancy a dip, then a two hour block costs £8.40 per adult and £5.40 per child.

Though you can also get a full-day swim pass costing £15.10 per adult and £9.70 per child.

Tinside Lido, Plymouth

Tinside Lido originally opened back in 1935 and is a Grade II-listed Art Deco.

And recently a number of spaces have been refreshed at the lido, including the sun terrace, which now has a café pod and a pop-up event space.

The pool overlooks the sea too and is right by Plymouth Ho making it the ideal end to a day exploring the city.

Beaches

Bantham Beach

When it comes to surfing spots in the county, there aren’t many destinations that are better than Bantham Beach.

Found in the South Hams, the beach is great for both families and budding watersports enthusiasts.

You won’t need to bring your own board either, as you can book lessons and hire boards at the Bantham Surfing Academy.

I’ve been to the beach many times for its waves, and failed many times at managing to stay on my board – but that’s all part of the fun.

The beach also has all the facilities you’d need for a great day out, including cafes and restaurants.

You can even make a trip across to Burgh Island via a sea tractor.

Budleigh Salterton

Budleigh Salterton Beach stretches over 2.5miles long and thanks to being a pebble beach, it has its very own sound as the waves crash against the stones.

It also marks the end of the UNESCO Jurassic Coast in East Devon.

As a result, this has long been a favourite of mine for walks thanks to the dramatic red cliffs and traditional charm.

Sidmouth Beach

Sidmouth Beach is a great option for families, thanks to its long esplanade and watersports activities.

Oh, and the fossil hunting!

At the western end of the beach you’ll find sand which is a great spot for children wanting to play.

Don’t miss the wooden steps from the beach to Connaught Gardens either – they will make you feel as if you have stepped back in time.

Croyde Beach

If you didn’t already have enough spots to head to for a good surf session, then add Croyde to that list.

The sandy beach has great waves that bodyboarders and surfers love – and trust me, part of the fun is falling off.

Around the beach you can venture through the sand dunes as well and explore some of the nearby surfing shops.

Saunton Sands

Beaches don’t get much more spectacular than Saunton Sands – which stretches for over 3.5miles.

Once again, it is another great spot for surfing, but is also dog friendly, so your pooch can have fun too.

It is well-worth extending your time at the beach as well by staying in one of the onsite Saunton Beach Villas which cost from £71 a night.

Woolacombe Beach

Woolacombe is my top pick for families, without a doubt.

The golden sand beach is right by a number of holiday parks, so makes for the ideal staycation.

In fact, there are some you can stay at in Golden Coast Holiday Park from just £9.50 (see hotels and holiday parks section).

As for things to do at the beach, you are spoilt for choice – the flat sand is great for walks and running around alike, as well as building sand castles and you can also have a go at bodyboarding or surfing with one of the local schools that offer lessons.

Torre Abbey Sands

Whilst I do normally avoid this beach in the summer, due to the flocks of families, there is no denying it is great.

The large sandy beach is usually really flat and is right by the road which makes it a great place for being near the car as well as other facilities like restaurants and loos.

Often, you’ll find a local sand artist drawing in the sand, creating some amazing image which can be viewed from the pedestrian bridge overhanging the beach.

Make sure to walk around from the beach to Pier Point to grab some fish and chips, which have previously been awarded the best in the UK.

Preston Sands

Preston Sands is great for those who love beaches with softer sand and spectacular views.

From the beach you can look across the English Riviera bay, which comes alive at night with glowing multi-coloured lights along the promenade.

The beach has colourful beach huts – great for photos.

And make sure to check out the rock pools, where you will often see little fish and crabs.

Anstey’s Cove

Popular with the famous crime author, Agatha Christie, Anstey’s Cove is a spot that most people have no clue exists.

Hidden behind the now abandoned Living Coasts, the small cove features a mix of pebbles and sand but boasts a tonne of history.

It actually used to be the preferred spot for crime writer Agatha Christie to head on a sunny day.

She even once nearly drowned at the beach.

Around the beach you will also find recently installed information boards that tell you about the history, but also the ecology of the area.

Elberry Cove

My absolute favourite beach is Elberry Cove – it often feels as if it has been plucked from a Greek island instead of England’s southern coast.

It’s between Paignton and Brixham and isn’t the biggest of beaches.

It also features pebbles so make sure to bring a chair with you.

There are crystal clear water, with views of a tropical-looking forest on one side and towering cliffs on the other.

The secluded spot doesn’t really get busy, which always surprises me as it has been popular historically.

At the end of the beach you’ll find its main curiosity – a ruined bath house, that used to be three stories tall and was used by Lord Churston in the 18th century.

The sea would freely wash in and out of the ground floor, which allowed the Lord to swim directly into the sea.

It later then featured the early version of the hot tub, with the seawater being heated by a fire.

Brixham Breakwater Beach

While Brixham Breakwater Beach isn’t huge, it is one of the best spots for a beach walk in the county as you often get to see seals playing in the sea.

The breakwater itself has amazing views of the bay and town as well.

This spot also has a blue flag for cleanliness.

Take a wander back to the harbour and you can see a replica of the famous Golden Hinde boat.

Quirky things

Babbacombe Model Village

Babbacombe Model Village is over 60 years old, spread across four acres and boasts hundreds of scenes depicting British life.

From iconic landmarks we know and love, to slightly more tongue-in-cheek scenes, there is something for everyone to see.

One scene is an ‘unaffordable housing development’ and then there’s also a celebrity mansion with the Mutant Ninja Turtles and The Incredibles family playing in the garden.

Included in your admission ticket, you can also watch a film in the attraction’s 4D cinema.

Tickets cost £21.95 per adult and £17.95 per child.

Local Loves & Hidden Gems

Gandy Street, Exeter

J.K.Rowling went to Exeter University, and for years many thought this quaint, cobbled street off of the high street was the inspiration behind Diagon Alley in Harry Potter, sadly the famous author has denied it.

But for me, it remains the most Harry Potter Diagon Alley-style spot I’ve ever seen.

There are some vintage shops to spend some hard-earned cash, as well as great gift shops and cosy restaurants.

Castle Drogo

Sat on the edge of Dartmoor, Castle Drogo is famously the last castle built in England in the 1930s.

It doesn’t look like your usual old stone castle, but instead blends both old and new architecture.

You’ll not see anything else quite like it.

It costs from £9 per child and £18 per adult to visit.

Royal William Yard

Once a 19th century Royal Naval depot, Royal William Yard is now a bustling 16-acre waterfront attraction thanks to years of refurbs and new openings.

You’ll find amazing independent shops and restaurants, galleries, bars, a cinema and of course, the marina.

It is a great place to explore thanks to having Europe’s largest collection of historic military buildings and just marvel at the architecture with a cuppa in hand.

Round Robin Experience

Without fail, if you spend money on one experience in Devon, make it the Round Robin.

Admittedly, it is not the cheapest – and adult ticket costs £43 and a child ticket costs £27.50 – but it is the best way to see pretty Devon town.

Starting on a bus trip from Paignton, you’ll head to Totnes where you then head on an hour-and-a-half cruise to Dartmouth, before hopping on a five-minute ferry to Kingswear.

Then for the final part you’ll jump on a 30minute steam train back to Paignton.

Across the journey you’ll see pretty towns and villages, see the countryside, spot wildlife and have a chance to explore.

Greenway House

Agatha Christie – who was also a born and bred Devonian – has left her mark across Devon.

And one top spot to see associated with the famous crime writer is her holiday home, Greenway House – which she dubbed “the loveliest place in the world”.

Sat on a riverbank in Kingswear, the home is full of items she used to cherish from both her childhood and travels.

Tickets cost from £9 per child and £18 per adult.

THE gorgeous Mediterranean village where I’ve camped for 50 years has just been dubbed ‘France’s Favourite Village’ and I am furious!

Bormes les Mimosas beat 13 other exceptionally pretty rural villages in a national TV competition watched – and voted on – by millions of French each summer.

It took the top spot because of its fabulous year-round colours – the hilltop medieval village is swathed in bright yellow mimosa flowers, bursting bougainvillaeas, majestic cypress trees and swaying palms.

The terracotta-roofed historic stone buildings tumble down the hillside,  a labyrinth of cobbled streets and tiny lanes filled with restaurants, boutiques and artist galleries.

And Bormes drew even greater praise for its wild, pristine coastline and immaculately maintained beaches.

Why am I so angry? The village that takes the top spot sees an immediate spike in visitors – often up to 40per cent more – and I’ll be having to fight for the spots at my favourite bars and restaurants when I visit this summer!

Bormes has been a part of my life since I was just seven years old when my family took a chance on an overnight stay at Camp du Domaine, a campsite right on the coast in the shadow of the hilltop village of Bormes.

For our family, it was love at first sight. Unlike the manicured lawns and strict rows of English campsites, Camp du Domaine was gloriously rustic.

Pitches were squeezed haphazardly between umbrella pines and plane trees, tumbling down to a gorgeous swathe of soft, golden sands.

Back then facilities were minimal – a shop, restaurant and shower blocks. But it was a paradise for us kids – we could roam on our bikes, head off on adventures, make friends and explore while my parents soaked up the Mediterranean sunshine.

And over the last 50 years, I’ve returned every year, bringing my own family on annual holidays and creating even more memories.

In my 26 years as The Sun’s Travel Editor, I’ve chatted to Virgin’s Richard Branson on the rooftop of his Caribbean island home, watched flamingos soar over the salt flats of Chile’s Atacama desert and ticked off every major European capital, Mediterranean hot spot and US city.

But nothing can beat the moment I step out of the shower block of my South of France campsite on my own family holidays.

This summer, we’ll pitch our two touring caravans right on the beach for two weeks. These days, my grown-up kids prefer their own space to the tents of their childhood!

The campsite has of course changed over the last 50 years – now there are three restaurants, a tennis club where the bar puts on nightly entertainment, and a gorgeous salon and spa with indoor and outdoor pampering treats.

The tent and caravan pitches at the top of the campsite near the original Chateau have been replaced with pretty – but pricey – bungalows with flower-filled terraces between them.

And some of the caravan pitches now come with their own little cabins containing your own private shower and toilet as well as a kitchen with fridge, microwave, hob, sink and even a dishwasher!

Our campsite sits right next to La Faviere – the port and marina of Bormes les Mimosas and within a five-minute stroll along the palm-tree lined boardwalk, we can enjoy the many restaurants and bars.

Over the last few years, the local authorities have spent huge amounts of time and money bringing back natural plants to recreate the sand dunes and flora and fauna I remember from my childhood.

Now the vast swathe of sandy beach hosts sports tournaments and festivals while the marina – with yet more great restaurants – hosts some stunning yachts and seriously swanky boats.

In summer, there’s a weekly food market in La Faviere every Saturday that is the perfect place to pick up local specialities from dried meats and olives to fresh baguettes and fougasse (a stuffed bread similar to a focaccia).

Twice a week – on Monday nights in La Faviere and Tuesday in the village of Bormes itself in the hills you will find markets selling everything from local pottery to raffia bags.

By day, we love enjoying a casual lunch on the beach at Plage Meynial right by the water’s edge and a two minute walk from the campsite.

By night, my go-to restaurants include Mimosa in La Faviere overlooking the port that has caught the eye of the Michelin guide for its modern Provencal cuisine. Cote Palmier is also great for pizzas and grills under the shade of mature plane trees.

In Bormes village itself, La Tonnelle is a quirky option, its interior decorated with traditional toys. Le Jardin is the stand-out for posh cuisine with set menus from £50pp. For great views, book a terrace table at Le Terrasse de l’Osteria for good value Mediterranean food from around £30pp.

But for the best pizza in the area, it has to be the little red vintage van that sits on Route de Benat, the road to our campsite. It’s been cooking up woodfired specialities for as long as I can remember.

Order in advance – and pick up yourself – and you’ll be rewarded with crispy, thin bases and sublime toppings. My favourite is L’Alsacienne with a creamy creme fraiche white sauce, thinly sliced onions and bacon.

You’re also spoilt for choice when it comes to enjoying a glass of classic Provencal rose – the surrounding areas are home to a host of world-class vineyards, many of which offer tastings and tours.

And then of course there’s that glorious coastline. Scuba diving trips depart daily from the port at La Faviere while you can rent standup paddle boards, kayaks, jet skis and more to take to the waters.

Rent a boat and you can discover little coves along the coastline – although don’t stray too close to the impressive Fort de Bregancon, the ancient island fortress is the official summer residence of the French president.

Of course, it’s no wonder that French political royalty spend their summers in beautiful Bormes. I’ve always done the same.

I just hope its new title as the Favourite Village in France doesn’t mean too many others discover its captivating secrets!

GETTING THERE: Fly to Toulon-Hyeres – half an hour drive from Bormes – on Tuesdays and Saturdays this summer with British Airways Cityflyer from London City Airport. Fares from £300 return this August. See britishairways.com.

STAYING THERE: Four night stays at Camp du Domaine in July range from £126 for a non-electric pitch to £630 for a two bed bungalow. See campdudomaine.com.

SUN soaked mega resorts abroad with their own waterparks, theme parks, and beaches? Yes please.

We’ve done the digging to find top-tier waterpark hotels abroad with deals that are so cheap they’ll make you do a double take.

From Egypt resorts with 45 pools and 81 waterslides, to Spanish spots that come with free theme park tickets, these are the mega resorts abroad that will keep the entire family entertained.

You don’t even need a massive sum sitting in your bank account to unlock these holiday memories, either.

Many of these deals include a kids go free offer, plus Loveholidays and On the Beach also offer low deposits from £19, meaning you can lock in your holiday without sweating about how much you’ve spent.

Whether you want to immerse yourself at a pirate-themed resort in Benidorm or slip down 16 thrilling waterslides in Side, here are the ultimate family resorts abroad with deals you can book right now.

Sol Katmandu Park & Resort, Majorca

Sol Katmandu Park & Resort is a theme park, waterpark, and hotel all rolled into one epic holiday complex (where kids can stay for free).

Staying here for at least two nights unlocks you a free play pass, which gives you unlimited entry to the park’s top attractions, waterpark and soft play.

Kids can cool off at the Katopia Splash Park, which is packed with water cannons, jets, and waterfalls, before tackling a giant soft play or hopping on 4D dark rides.

The fun continues back at the hotel, too, as this resort has themed family accommodation including mystical Enchanted Forest rooms and Mythical Ice suites.

Food and drink options here include a build-your-own burger bar, a pick and mix station, and a soft-serve ice cream machine – plus themed dinners and healthy options, too.

And for the grown-ups? Sangria and Cruzcampo are available on-tap at the pool bar.

Plus, if you fancy a dip in the sea, there’s a golden sand beach a four-minute stroll away.

Skanes Serail and Aquapark, Tunisia

This four-star Tunisian gem is the most affordable on the list, and packs everything you’d need into an action-packed, sunny family holiday abroad.

The star of the show at Skanes Serail is its on-site aquapark, which has rainbow-coloured waterslides that are sure to keep kids entertained for hours.

This resort even has a private beach, complete with free sun loungers, a selection of water sports, and signature white sands facing a turquoise sea.

The all inclusive package includes a massive daily buffet spread, as well as access to a beachfront à la carte restaurant serving Italian and Lebanese food.

While the little ones make friends at the daily kids’ club, grown-ups can escape to the full-service spa for a traditional hammam, sauna, and steam room session.

Plus, Tunisia boasts reliable sunshine year-round. Book ahead something to look forward to for November with this deal, when temperatures hover at a toasty 23°C.

Pickalbatros Jungle Aqua Park Resort – Neverland Hurghada

If you think you’ve seen a big waterpark hotel, think again, because this holiday kingdom in Hurghada operates on an entirely different planet.

It’s so big it even has its own shuttle buses to transport you around site.

The Pickalbatros Jungle Aqua Park Resort boasts 45 swimming pools and a staggering 81 waterslides, plus a massive lazy river and wave pools.

The complex also has its own fairground with 11 rides, a roller-skating arena, bumper boats, and a high-tech VR gaming zone. Bored kids? Impossible.

You can also eat your way around the globe thanks to the lineup of international, all-inclusive restaurants.

Load up your plate with wood-fired Italian pizzas, Asian noodles, or spiced Moroccan tagines. There’s even a German eatery serving up bratwurst and schnitzel.

As for bars, pick between the Jungle Bar, Red Sky Bar, White Elephant Bar, Lobby Bar, Columbus Bar, Jazz Bar, and Beach Bar for your beverage.

If you ever fancy a break from the excitement of the resort, there’s a 10-minute complimentary shuttle bus to whizz you straight down to the private beach.

There’s a range of affordable dates for this resort at Loveholidays, but we found the cheapest deal this year to be in December, where temperatures sit at 24°C.

Magic Pirates Island Resort, Benidorm

This pirate-themed resort in Benidorm is an absolute treasure trove for families.

Magic Pirates Island Resort lets families sleep like sea captains inside themed wooden lodges plastered with maps, compasses and desert islands.

There’s three large swimming pools, including the Battleship Lagoon, which has play boats and jets for the little ones, plus a more relaxed pool zone with hot tubs and Balinese beds to laze out on.

Best of all, a stay here gives you free unlimited entry to the Aqua Natura waterpark right next door, as well as free access to Terra Natura Zoo.

But there’s plenty more fun to be had back at the hotel, with a Virtual Reality simulator zone, dance stage, and gaming arcade.

Food and drink comes as a fully-stocked buffet restaurant, with snacks available throughout the day.

There’s also an option to upgrade to ultra-all inclusive, which opens up access to fun eateries like Tacos of the Caribbean, and the Hall of Flames Asian restaurant.

Refreshing beers, cocktails and soft drinks are never far away either, thanks to a swim-up pool bar and traditional pirate taverns.

We found a deal for an October escape, when the resort hosts a Halloween festival packed with spooky live entertainment, themed activities and costume contests.

Eftalia Ocean, Antalya

Fancy a trip to a five star family mega resort in Turkey?

The hotel is built around a network of giant, winding outdoor swimming pools and slides.

The all inclusive perks include live show-cooking stations at the main buffet, as well as dining in an Italian a la carte restaurant and grill.

Some bars even serve refreshing drinks for 24 hours a day, and you can satisfy late-night cravings with round-the-clock bites at Burgerland.

Entertainment includes daily kids clubs, mini golf, and outdoor theatre shows. There’s also a wellness spa offering massages, hammam and sauna sessions.

But the real magic of this hotel is its secret pathway – walk through the hotel’s private underpass and you’ll pop up directly onto Eftalia Island.

This entertainment district sits directly on the beach and is packed with massive shared waterparks, waterslides, and pools as well as a bustling seaside promenade lined with beach bars.

THB Tropical Island, Lanzarote

THB Tropical Island boasts 10 swimming pools scattered across the resort, alongside thrilling waterslides and a splash park for little ones.

Accommodation comes as modern apartments with fully equipped kitchenettes, a big win for budget-savvy families who like to stock up on snacks and easy-to-make meals.

The resort also has a buffet restaurant with live show-cooking stations, a pizzeria, and even a lively sports bar for catching that important match.

Daytime kids entertainment includes football tournaments and kids mini-discos, plus activities like arts and crafts and water polo.

Here you’re close to Playa Blanca, which has a range of souvenir shops, bars, cafes and restaurants – plus two huge beaches, which you can reach by taking the hotel’s free shuttle bus.

Crystal Sunset Pearl Collection, Side

If you want to live like royalty on a budget, this five-star Turkish resort proves you don’t have to spend a lot for a high-end family getaway.

The Crystal Sunset Pearl Collection has an impressive waterpark packed with 16 waterslides, including 11 adrenaline-pumping flumes and five gentle slides for kids.

If you prefer a slower pace, you can lounge by the huge main pool, retreat to the relaxing adults-only pool, or sip a cocktail at the poolside bar.

The hotel also runs a shuttle bus to whisk you down to the golden shores of Kumköy Beach.

Alongside a massive daily buffet spread, you can opt for a la carte dinners in the hotel’s Italian, Indian and Chinese restaurants.

Ice-cold drinks are fully covered from 10am until midnight, and there’s even an on-site patisserie to satisfy the sweet cravings.

Here you’re just a 15-minute drive from the historic town of Side, where you can explore ancient Roman ruins and catch a postcard-perfect sunset at the famous Temple of Apollo.

THEY survived Geordie Shore together for more than a decade, weathering explosive rows, chaotic nights out and everything that came with reality TV fame. When Nathan Henry first walked into the house in 2015 and bravely opened up about his sexuality, Scotty T was one of the first castmates to embrace him into the group.

Which is why friends tell The Sun they are “absolutely sickened” to see Scotty accused of turning on the very community he once publicly stood beside, leaving Nathan feeling “blindsided”.

Their friendship became one of the constants of the MTV series, surviving cast shake-ups, years away from the cameras and countless personal milestones.

But after more than a decade of standing side by side, those closest to Nathan say the pair’s bitter public clash is about far more than a handful of tweets – it’s watching someone he trusted seem to turn his back on the community Nathan has spent years proudly representing.

The fallout unravelled after Scotty, 37, posted a string of controversial messages about Pride celebrations in London that many accused of being openly homophobic, causing backlash online.

He wrote: “If you’re ever a parent – and you took your child to the Pride event in London… You should have your kids taken off you. Simple.”

He continued: “Forcing them to see some of the state I’ve seen, and the stands with merch about being horny and ‘f*** me’. What sort of disgusting animal even does that to their child.”

One source close to Nathan told The Sun: “We’re absolutely sickened that Scotty has lashed out at the gay community. They’ve been friends for so many years and gone through so much together. Referring to parents who bring their children to Pride events as ‘animals’ is heartbreaking.

“Nathan was blindsided given how supportive Scotty was to him in the past and it has really struck him.”

For Nathan the comments were deeply personal.

After all, this was the same Scotty who had stood beside him when he came out on Geordie Shore and built one of the show’s most genuine friendships.

Which is exactly why, pals say, Nathan decided he couldn’t let the comments pass without saying something publicly.

He wrote: “I think you should delete this… I don’t know if this is you or management but it stinks of hypocrisy just saying.”

Scotty replied that he loved Nathan “to bits” but doubled down on his position, insisting children should not be exposed to explicit displays at Pride events.

He later added: “Can us straight people have a month where we walk about with our cock and balls out?”

And in another post wrote: “Be gay, bi, gender fluid, camp, manly, whatever the f*** you want – just don’t force it into everyone else’s faces. Especially children.”

But those close to Nathan say the comments left him stunned because Scotty had relied on him to help promote his own OnlyFans account.

Our insider told us: “Scotty was desperately begging Nathan to take those pictures to promote his OnlyFans. He used him to make cash.”

The source said that only made Scotty’s public comments feel even more hypocritical to Nathan, prompting him to hit back publicly.

Nathan, not letting his behaviour slide, responded again but this time on his Instagram.

He shared an old photograph which Scotty himself had asked him to take in order to help promote his OnlyFans account – pointing to what he believed was a glaring contradiction between Scotty’s past behaviour and his current narrative.

Alongside it he wrote: “B***h I know you lying when you asked me to take this and used it to promote your OF implying gay s**t. The math ain’t mathing.”

Those close to Nathan said he couldn’t sit back without saying anything.

One pal said: “He couldn’t understand the contradiction between what Scotty had asked of him in the past and what he was now saying publicly.”

For fans who have followed Geordie Shore over the past decade, the public fallout marks a remarkable turn for two castmates whose friendship appeared to survive almost everything the show threw at them.

When Nathan first joined the series, he initially came out as bisexual before later identifying as gay. Scotty was among those who publicly accepted him, and the pair went on to film multiple series together, including the recent reunion seasons and the milestone Thailand trip that marked Scotty’s return to the franchise.

Away from the cameras, however, life has taken both men in very different directions.

Nathan, now 35, has largely stepped away from the party-boy image that first made him famous. He recently revealed he has been in a private relationship for three years and has deliberately kept it away from the spotlight.

He also opened his life to viewers in an emotional four-part MTV documentary alongside his father Glen, who is living with terminal cancer. The series explored family, illness and LGBTQ+ acceptance within Caribbean culture, earning widespread praise for its honesty.

Scotty’s recent years, meanwhile, have been considerably more turbulent.

Best known for starring on Geordie Shore between 2012 and 2019 before winning Celebrity Big Brother, he has faced a series of financial and legal difficulties since leaving the show.

Earlier this year, court proceedings heard that he now earns money through club appearances and OnlyFans after admitting an offence relating to unlawful financial promotions on Instagram. During the hearing, it was also stated that he received financial support from his mother, while he had previously been declared bankrupt after his company went into liquidation.

Last October, Scotty announced he had become a father, describing his baby son as “the most important thing” in his life.

Whether the pair can repair more than ten years of friendship now remains to be seen.

But friends fear this will cause a big obstacle in their future.

One pal said: “Nathan feels like someone who supported him and his life for so many years has changed his views so much.

“It feels like an attack on the community he’s proud to be part of. That’s why this has hurt so much.”

The Sun has contacted reps for Nathan and Scotty T for comment.

REMEMBER when finding a £1 pint on holiday was the norm? Those days feel a long way off. 

Just like here in the UK, classic holiday hotspots have seen food and drink prices creep up over the last few years.

And now, in plenty of major resorts, the old-school £1 beer is nothing more than a nostalgic memory.

But as a holiday expert, I knew the mythical £1 pint hadn’t vanished entirely.

So, I went digging, trawling holiday reviews and local expat forums and cross-referenced Facebook groups.

I even tapped up every contact I have working in hotels overseas.

And I have great news: the £1 pint is alive and kicking… you just have to know exactly which backstreets to turn down.

Even better, every single spot below is a destination where I clocked a full package holiday for under £400 per person. Or £401 if you want your first pint thrown in…

Benidorm, Spain

If there’s one destination refusing to let the £1 pint disappear quietly, it’s Benidorm.

People love to moan that the strip isn’t as cheap as it used to be, and to be fair, they’re almost right.

But every time I go looking for a proper value holiday, Benidorm still cleans up – and there’s one legendary venue everyone mentions: Uncle Ron’s.

They’re famously flying the flag for the €1 pint long after everyone else moved on, making it the ultimate first pitstop to prove the old-school Benidorm spirit is alive and kicking.

I even clocked a five-night stay at the Terralta Apartments, flying direct from Bristol at the end of September on a self-catering basis, from just £260pp.

Aside from putting you well within striking distance of Uncle Ron’s, the real draw at this hotel is the massive lagoon-style pool area that features its own dedicated poolside supermarket.

It means you can stock your apartment fridge with cheap local snacks and ice-cold cans at local residents’ prices without having to lug heavy shopping bags back from the town centre.

Sunny Beach, Bulgaria

Sunny Beach has spent years dominating the European holiday market when it comes to budget trips, and in 2026 it certainly hasn’t lost its crown.

The beaches and weather here really live up to the name, and your spending money stretches ridiculously far when you get there.

Whenever I’ve visited, I’ve stopped bothering to convert prices back into pounds after day one because everything is just SO cheap.

For the ultimate bargain brew though, Bulgaria-obsessed holidaymakers point straight to The Funny Pub, which regularly slashes its local lager prices down to the £1 mark during daytime promotions.

You can lock in five nights at the Aparthotel Cote Da Zure, flying direct from Luton on a self-catering basis, from a crazily low £160pp.

And the perk of this specific property is that every room comes with a proper, deep balcony overlooking a quiet green pine forest lot.

It gives you a peaceful, scenic spot to pre-drink your bargain beers before heading out onto the main prom to chase £1 pints all night.

Marmaris, Turkey

Every time I check booking data, Marmaris tends to dominate the dashboard.

Thanks to the great exchange rate, British holidaymakers get unbelievable buying power the second they step off the plane.

When I asked around to find out where experts would send a mate for a rock-bottom pint, the Crazy Daisy Bar topped the list, famously keeping local draft beers around the £1 mark during their extended afternoon happy hours.

So I went and tracked down five nights at the Grand Villa Sol Apart, flying direct from Manchester in September on a self-catering basis, from £335pp.

And the restaurant team at this hotel are kind of famous too.

They cook up a traditional Turkish clay-pot stew on-site that beats most of the overpriced tourist traps on the main marina, letting you secure a top-tier local meal for pocket change right by your sunbed.

Sarande, Albania

I’ve said it before and I’ll keep shouting it from the rooftops: if you want to catch the next massive travel trend before the crowds ruin it, get to Albania.

The water is stunningly clear, the Balkan scenery is stellar, and because the tourism infrastructure is still developing, the prices haven’t quite caught up with the quality yet.

When asked about tracking down a £1 pint here, a couple of people in the office laughed and told me I’d probably get change back from a quid if I ordered a local lager at Jericho Cocktail Bar on the front.

I found a six-night stay at Hotel Vola, flying direct from Luton with breakfast included, from just £235pp. And for a coastal spot that feels like a hidden Mediterranean secret, which is huge value.

The standout feature at this hotel, for me, is the private beach access.

They have cordoned off a quiet, rocky swimming platform directly below the hotel with free loungers.

This allows you to bypass the crowded public beach clubs and swim in the exact same pristine Ionian water for zero extra cost.

Ayia Napa, Cyprus

Ayia Napa still suffers from a bit of an old-school 90’s clubbing reputation, which I think is really unfair.

The coast here boasts some of the finest sand in Europe, the sea is bath-warm well into autumn, and because it sits so far south, you get guaranteed scorching sun long after the rest of Europe has started cooling down.

If you want a £1 beer here, head straight to Senior Frog’s, where they regularly run afternoon drink promos designed to keep your spending money intact.

I found a great deal nearby too, with five nights at the Green Bungalows Hotel Apartments, flying direct from Gatwick at the end of September on a self-catering basis, from £275pp – which makes this deal an absolute shoulder season winner. 

And what I loved about these bungalows was the outdoor hot tub and courtyard setup – they’ve built a massive, open-air hot tub right beside the main pool bar, meaning you can wind down in the evening heat with a cheap drink without having to head into the busiest parts of the resort.

Laganas, Zante

Zante is another island that gets judged far too quickly based on the main strip. 

Walk ten minutes away from the neon signs and you’re looking at beautiful turtle-nesting beaches, traditional family tavernas, and some of the clearest water in Greece.

For a budget pint, the Rescue Club is the staple shout, running massive seasonal daytime promos that knock local drafts down to the £1 mark.

I even found five nights at the Acapulco Marinos Apartments, flying direct from Manchester at the end of September on a self-catering basis, from £385pp.

It’s a cracking price for a Greek island, and what I love about this family-run spot is their on-site traditional olive grove garden… Not what you’d expect in Zante, eh?

The family actually harvests their own olives right on the grounds to make homemade oil for the pool bar snacks, giving you a proper, authentic slice of Greek island hospitality right at your sunbed.

Prague, Czech Republic

I couldn’t write an article about cheap beer without including the absolute capital of lager.

No, it doesn’t have a beach, but if your idea of a holiday involves wandering historic cobbled streets and dropping into ancient beer halls, it’s unbeatable.

While the centre has indeed gotten pricier over the years, lots of people pointed me toward U Zlateho Tygra (don’t ask me how to pronounce that), a historic pub where a world-class Czech Pilsner still costs around about a quid.

You can grab a city break at the Bohem Prague Hotel, flying direct from Bristol in early September on a room-only basis, from just £175pp (is it me, or are trains to and from Manchester and London more expensive than that these days?)

The real win at the Bohem though is its location in the Smichov district.

This hotel sits completely outside the overpriced tourist zones, putting you right next to the local Staropramen neighborhood bars where food and drink prices drop by 50 per cent compared to the Old Town Square.

Cheers to that!

All prices were accurate at the time of writing but may vary.

IT HAS been 30 years since the Spice Girls dropped their debut single Wannabe and kickstarted one of the most remarkable pop juggernauts of all time.

But while they once defined girl power for a generation, Geri Halliwell-Horner, Mel B, Victoria Beckham, Emma Bunton and Melanie C are now more divided than ever before – with their long-hoped-for reunion concert a distant dream.

With the bandmates at each other’s throats, this week’s anniversary celebrations have amounted to little more than a few posts on Instagram and a show from Emma Bunton on Heart Radio – despite promoters initially planning a tour for the group to mark the occasion.

And the reunion pleasantries didn’t last long, after Mel B appeared to have blocked Geri Horner on Instagram.

The pair clashed in 2022, after Mel B claimed Geri lied about her age, with the pair unfollowing each other on social media.

And now fans have claimed Scary Spice has blocked her former bandmate, after Geri was unable to properly tag her in a post marking the anniversary of their 1996 breakthrough track.

Geri shared a photograph of the band, also made up of Victoria Beckham, Mel C and Emma Bunton, with the caption: “30 years of Wannabe…Thank you to my beautiful Spice sisters.”

All of Geri’s tags for her bandmates registered, apart from Mel B’s – which happens when a user has been blocked.

The Sun can also reveal that dates were looked at for a global jaunt for 2026, although the plans never got off the ground.

And now it is looking increasingly likely that we may never see the Spice Girls on stage together again.

To make matters worse, Mel C confirmed this week that the group’s relationship with their former manager Simon Fuller is over, which puts paid to the ambitious plans he had for their legacy.

We revealed last April that Geri had flown to Miami to meet with Simon about exciting ideas for the group, in the hope he could persuade the reluctant star to return to the fold.

The following month it was revealed that he was shopping around the idea of a Spice Girls digital avatar show, much like ABBA Voyage, which could take place in London or Las Vegas.

However, that is now believed to have been put on ice as divisions over the direction of their legacy deepen.

And a Netflix drama about the group, which was to be scripted by Bad Boys writer Jack Rooke, has also been shelved.

The most reluctant to return has long been Victoria, having declined the opportunity to take part in their sold out, 13-date stadium tour in 2019.

They last performed as a five-piece at the 2012 Olympics Closing Ceremony.

Geri has said she is only prepared for a reunion if it includes all five girls. And now it is Ginger Spice who, like Posh, is reluctant for anything else.

She has retreated from public life and is said to be anxious at the prospect of returning to the stage. That isn’t helped by her strained relationship with Mel B, who has also washed her hands of future plans.

Mel, whose 50th birthday party last year was only attended by Emma and Mel C, said of a reunion tour: “I can tell you it’s not happening. If it does, it’ll be a shock to me, let’s put it that way.

“You can’t be nagging everyone to go on tour if they don’t want to. I laid that to rest when I turned 50.”

And on previously-discussed plans for a documentary, she pointedly added: “I think we’ve all been asked and were all thinking about it at some point.

“But it has to be done in the right way, and it has to be honest – and not everybody wants to be honest.”

In October, Geri, Mel C and Emma attended Victoria’s Netflix series launch, and in January, they were all at Emma’s 50th party, although Mel B was absent from both.

Geri and Mel B were once extremely close, but Ginger Spice said it was “hurtful” when Mel claimed in 2019, weeks before their reunion tour, that they had once had a sexual relationship.

Speaking on The Louis Theroux Podcast this week, Mel C admitted the pair’s friendship was often volatile and impacted the group – as it still seems to be doing, 30 years later.

She explained: “Like any group of people there’s a dynamic, and what was difficult for us was that Melanie [B] and Geri were really great mates, but if they had a fallout, it would affect everybody.

“I think because they were both so outspoken and, myself, Emma, and Victoria, I don’t know, we didn’t have as much airtime as the other two girls.

“I don’t mean that in a thingy [public] sense. I mean, like, just in the room. So that would cause issues sometimes.

“If it wasn’t for Geri and Melanie being the way that they are, we wouldn’t have been as successful as we were.”

While Victoria, Geri and Mel B look increasingly reticent, it is Sport Spice Mel C who has become the most loose-lipped of them all – taking over from Scary Spice.

In 2022, Emma said of Mel B: “If we want anything to be kept a secret we don’t tell her.”

But in the last year, it has been Mel C raising fans’ hopes, only for them to be dashed.

She gave several interviews where she teased a tour could happen, and said that exciting plans were in motion for their 30th anniversary.

Even this week, on the prospect of marking it, she teased: “We want to. Everything’s in discussion. But it’s a really positive time for us.”

She then conceded: “There’s nothing in the works, so it’s obviously not going to be anything in time for the anniversary. But we are discussing lots of great opportunities.”

She also claimed the group have won back the rights to their 1997 movie Spice World and that they are in talks to get it on streaming services.

However, sources close to the group insisted no talks are currently taking place.

So while fans may be streaming their hits, buying re-released vinyl or forking out for new merch from their online shop, the dream of seeing all five back together again is something of a pipe dream.

In 2024, Victoria said of their 30th anniversary: “It would be lovely for us to do something to celebrate [the 30th anniversary] – a dinner or a lunch – and reminisce. But yes, it will not be any more than that.”

Judging by the state of relations right now, even that would be a surprise.

THE Rolling Stones and Amy Winehouse — somehow it was a match made it heaven.

On June 10, 2007, the original rock and roll miscreants invited the supremely gifted but wayward singer on stage at the Isle Of Wight Festival.

Amy was all the rage that summer with her second (and final) album Back To Black riding high in the charts. Britain and the world had taken her songs to their hearts — Rehab, You Know I’m No Good, Tears Dry On Their Own and Love Is A Losing Game among them.

At the festival, Amy wore a pristine white shirt, skinny black jeans, a chunky belt, ballet flats and THAT towering beehive.

She looked every inch at home next to the man with all the moves, Mick Jagger — a lean, sinewy T-shirted figure in an all-black outfit.

Together, they belted out a wild rendition of The Temptations’ soul classic Ain’t Too Proud To Beg.

Together, they perfectly captured the rebellious spirit of rock and roll.

When Amy died four years later aged just 27, the world lost a generational talent — a sultry, emotionally wrought voice for the ages.

Now, in 2026, the Stones are releasing a cover of Amy’s You Know I’m No Good on their vibrant, age- defying 25th studio album, Foreign Tongues.

I’ve had the chance to speak to guitarist and lovable rogue Ronnie Wood about the song, his close friendship with Amy — and all things related to the eclectic 14-track album.

By Stones standards, it’s a rapid-fire follow-up to 2023’s Hackney ­Diamonds and a freewheeling ­confection of rock, soul, dance, country, blues and balladry.

“We just loved to pay tribute to Amy because she was such a jewel,” Ronnie says with typical warmth.

“A very lost jewel in the jewellery box but she was wonderful.”

At the time of Isle Of Wight, Ronnie was still battling alcohol addiction himself and he discovered an immediate bond with troubled Amy.

“We came back on the ferry together and had such a laugh,” he recalls. “Then shortly before Amy died, I had a real in-depth [chat] with her in the garden of a hotel in Rio.

“She was asking me, ‘Oh Ron, what am I going to do? And I was going, ‘Don’t worry because everyone knows you’ve got vodka in your water bottle. Just don’t hide it and try to go on stage tonight.

“Her band pleaded with me. They went, ‘Ronnie, please get her to go on — she’s trying to pull out of the gig.’ Anyway, I talked her through stuff and she did go on.”

“Amy needed a carer all the time otherwise she went off the rails, which of course she did.”

I ask Ronnie where Amy ­Winehouse should be placed in the pantheon of great female singers, past and present.

“There are some lovely singers around,” he answers. “They arrive in spasms. Chanel Haynes from my band is great — she played Tina Turner [in the stage musical] and really has the essence of Tina. I also like Jessie J.

“But Amy was like Billie Holiday. She had that once-in-a-lifetime deep blues. It’s a pity she was her own worst enemy.”

Of the Stones’ rousing rendition of You Know I’m No Good, Ronnie says: “I love the way Mick has put the harmonica over the brass riff.”

Mick himself reflected on the song this week at an intimate fan playback at Metropolis Studios in Chiswick, West London, where much of Foreign Tongues was recorded.

“We decided we wanted to cover this Amy Winehouse song. We do it in the same key as her. There’s a well-known horn lick on that record and I thought, ‘Yeah, I can do that. I’ll do it on the harmonica.”

Mick is accompanied by Ronnie but minus Keith Richards, who’s at home in the States and sends a video message saying “god bless you all”.

Wearing a floral shirt beneath a black leather jacket despite the heat outside, Mick, the planet’s most sprightly octogenarian, is in expansive mood. He saunters into the room and greets the assembled throng from countries far and wide with a World Cup quip, “Apologies to anyone from Mexico!” Cue much laughter.

With his face wreathed in smiles, he peers around the sound-proofed room and says: “We had a lot of fun making this record in this very room.

“It didn’t look quite like this,” he adds before waving his arms in ­different directions.

“The drums were over there, Ronnie was there, I was there, Keith was there.” Ronnie also can’t help a reference to important football matters when he describes the band’s preparations for the sessions at Metropolis.

“We had a lot of rehearsals — a bit like practising for the World Cup — at Electric Lady Studios in New York and on the West Coast at Jim Henson’s studios.”

The subject soon moves on to how the Stones have kept going nearly 65 years after Jagger and Richards met on Platform 2 of Dartford railway station and decided to be in a band together.

Listen to Foreign Tongues and you’ll be astonished by Mick’s still jaw-dropping range.

So how does he keep his most precious instrument — his vocal cords — in shape?

He says: “With other instruments, you can see them — a guitar, a piano — but you can’t see your vocal cords.

“So, you can’t say, ‘Oh they look really good today, I’ll do this.’

“If anything goes wrong, the doctor has to look at them. You have to keep them in shape like a muscle.” How does Ronnie keep his fingers nimble enough to dance across the fretboard? “There are exercises for the hands,” he replies. “And I put arnica [a herbal remedy] on them because they can hurt a lot.”

Mick says: “The thing with Ronnie is that he’s very good because he doesn’t stop playing, either with another band or doing his own gigs.”

This helps explain why Ronnie’s guitar work is a prominent feature of Foreign Tongues.

“When the first mix was finished, Ronnie came to my house and I played him the whole record,” reveals Mick. “I said, ‘So, what do you think Ron?’ And he said, ‘I didn’t really get any solos.’”

That comment was a classic piece of Ronnie mischief because, as Mick points out, “No one else gets a guitar solo on the record apart from Ronnie!

“I get a harmonica solo but Keith doesn’t really get a solo,” he adds before turning to his bandmate and asking, ‘Why is that, Ronnie?’ Ronnie gives a knowing smirk and says: “Keith told me, ‘Anyone can play a solo, it’s the riff that matters!’

“And I said, ‘OK, you’ve done the groundwork there but I’ve got the icing on the cake.”’

This brings us to a wider discussion about the Foreign Tongues sessions which prompts Ronnie to chip in with: “We’re much more civilised than we used to be.”

Mick picks up the thread: “I’m always the last to arrive. I’m not sure how that happens.

“We usually start about half past three and finish at about ten, ­having agreed the night before what we’re going to do.”

Ronnie salutes producer Andrew Watt, the live-wire American ­producer who helmed Hackney Diamonds and Paul McCartney’s recent album, The Boys Of ­Dungeon Lane. “We need someone to boss us around, and Andrew did that.”

Mick interjects: “Otherwise, it would all fall to bits! So we’re very pleased that Andrew herds us into doing it.”

Ronnie comes back in with a very telling comment: “Mick never lets anything fall to bits because the Rolling Stones is his baby — and he won’t let anything destroy that.”

The Stones’ approach these days clearly has something to do with the fact they’re all sober.

Yet Foreign Tongues has drawn comparisons to 1978’s Some Girls, Ronnie’s first album as a full-time member — recorded when things were far less civilised.

For instance, the disco-inflected Jealous Lover, with Mick still able to produce his best falsetto, is reminiscent of Miss You. Elsewhere, the band summons the raw energy of Respectable or Shattered.

The frontman sifts through the mists of time to the sessions at Pathé Marconi in Paris: “In the late Seventies, I’d have to dig Ronnie and Keith out of a late-night pizza place. I’d go in there at 1am and say, ‘It’s time for the studio, lads!’

“And poor Bill Wyman [bassist] had been in the studio since six o’clock waiting for us.

“We’d get there at 2am and we’d leave at eight. We’d run into the factory workers getting their ­morning coffees.”

Ronnie laughs: “We played for so long back in those days that Bill would have a sleep, come back and we’d still be playing.”

With the album out tomorrow, Mick is asked about his hopes for a good reception for Foreign Tongues. It prompts a comparison with an album many regard as the Stones’ finest, released in 1972.

With 14 new songs about to be unleashed, he accepts that it’s “a lot of music” and says: “It’s longer than Exile On Main St. When that came out, reviewers generally said things like, “It’s kind of rambling and all over the place.”

“It was too much for people to take in all at once. But, from the reviews I’ve seen, we are getting very good ones [for Foreign Tongues].

The album is notable for guest appearances — Steve Winwood, The Cure’s Robert Smith and Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Chad Smith.

One song, the “punky” Hit Me In The Head features the late effortlessly cool Stones drummer Charlie Watts. Mick explains: “People would say, ‘Charlie’s such a subtle drummer, he loves jazz — you can hear that soft touch.

“Well, not on this one. This one sounds banging, banging, banging — very punk. We recorded it in 2021.”

In my chat with Ronnie, he talks about Paul McCartney’s bass playing on Covered In You, reprising his role on Hackney Diamonds track Bite My Head Off.

He says: “Oh Paul was so lovely.  He said playing with the Stones was one of his biggest ambitions. He loved it, like a kid in a toy shop.”

He remembers how in The Beatles and Stones’ early days, he was a bystander in a band called The Birds,” but told himself that one day he would join Mick, Keith and co.

Why the Stones? “Because I’m more of a jazzer and a bluesman,” he replies. “I respected The Beatles’ music, their adventurousness, but I liked the funk and the women around the Stones.

“I thought, ‘That looks like a good job.’ Then, like a jigsaw, all the pieces fell into place.”

Finally, I beg the question: Is there’s more in the tank from the world’s greatest rock and roll band?

“There is, but what we’ve got to do is survive!” says Ronnie.

ROLLING STONES

Foreign Tongues

★★★★★

AS Mick Jagger says, this is “a lot of music.”

But over 14 tracks, the Stones have a blast.

There’s the ragged majesty of Rough And Twisted, the dance floor-primed Jealous Lover, the politically charged Mr Charm, the country twang of Ringing Hollow, the three-minute punk mayhem of Hit Me In The Head, a yearning Keith Richards lead vocal on Some Of Us and the raw delta blues of Chuck Berry’s Beautiful Delilah.

At times, it needs to be a little rougher around the edges, but this high-energy album is nothing short of a miracle from rock and roll’s great survivors.   

WITH legendary lochs, impressive mountains, and beaches that rival tropical islands, Scotland is a truly unforgettable holiday destination.

Whether you’re looking to relax by the shore, hike through dramatic glens, or dive into the nation’s incredible foodie scene, Scotland offers the ultimate £9.50 escape.

So the hardest question on your upcoming £9.50 Holiday will be: where to visit first?

Families wanting to explore the local area will have stacks of choice. 

You could start with a gentle steam train ride through the countryside, with the likes of Strathspey Steam Railway sure to put a smile on your child’s face.

Need to up the ante? Older kids can test their courage with adrenaline-pumping activities like the Highland Fling bungee jump in Killiecrankie or burn off steam at Pirate Pete’s adventure play park in Ayr.

Taking your brood to a country park like Eglinton is another great way of letting them run off excess energy – and it has the added bonus of being completely free to visit.

Other top-rated free things to do in Scotland include hiking up Arthur’s Seat and visiting the National Museum of Scotland, both in Edinburgh, and Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow.

If you want a deeper dive into nature, you could head to one of the country’s two National Parks – at Loch Lomond and Cairngorms – which are packed with nature trails. 

For a route that’s loaded with history, try the outdoor “museum without walls” Cateran Ecomuseum.

It features ancient Pictish stones and the Cateran Trail, which you can explore by foot, bike or car. 

Alternatively, try and catch a glimpse of the famous Loch Ness Monster at Loch Ness – the world’s largest lake by volume.

Prefer to bask by the beach (weather permitting)? Then you’ll be spoilt for choice. 

With over 11,000 miles of coastline including its islands, Scotland has some of the UK’s best beaches, with Camusdarach Beach on the west coast and Gullane Bents, East Lothian, among those highly rated. 

Sun readers also have their own favourite Scottish beaches, from the near-deserted shores of Embo Beach in the Highlands to the family-friendly sands at Silver Sands near Lossiemouth. 

And with so many beautiful lochs, you also have freshwater beaches including the UK’s highest beach at Loch Morlich (318m). 

Beach days can be filled with buckets and spades, sea swimming or trying a raft of activities such as paddleboarding (do it off the coast of Nairn, and you could spot the resident pod of dolphins).

A swim in nature doesn’t have to be by the sea – with wild swimming spots that include river pools in the Highlands and “Rob Roy’s Bathtub”, a massive plunge pool fed by the Falls of Falloch.

You can also explore Scotland’s incredible lochs by kayak or paddleboard, with Priory Island on Loch Tay a fantastic option for an adventure without any crowds. 

When it’s time to refuel, Scotland has everything from sea view restaurants to cheap and cheerful cafes, like Doon the Beach, a community cafe just behind Stevenson Beach, and Milk Bar in Inverness. 

Keen to sample local flavours? Get your fill of everything from hearty haggis to Cullen Sink – a soup of smoked haddock, potatoes and onions – at somewhere like Garden Cafe Pitlochry.

And no trip to Scotland would be complete without a wee dram. 

There are traditional pubs aplenty, like The Auld Smiddy Inn in Pitlochry, as well as distilleries like the Blair Athol Distillery where you can learn more about the process of making the tipple on an organised tour.

LOU Teasdale has split with footballer Andy Carroll for a third time – and for her sake, I hope this time it’s for good.

To me Andy is a classic Peter Pan, a man seemingly devoid of the ability to grow up and stop partying like he’s a single twenty-something.

We saw it in the run up to his marriage to the lovely Billi Mucklow back in 2022, when he made a buffoon of himself by passing out topless in bed with two women in Dubai, and now it seems history is repeating itself.

I watched him sidling up to two rather attractive women at Glastonbury last year and although it might have just been a flirt – who doesn’t get turned on by The Prodigy? – it was enough to get the red flags waving in my mind.

If you feel like this is the nineteenth time Andy and Lou have split over the past year, you’re a little way off but not totally incorrect.

They’ve been more on and off than my laptop over the past 12 months so I am hoping, if only for Lou’s sake, that this is the final time.

If she was one of my mates, I’d be staging an intervention because enough is enough.

This time around, insiders have said it’s Lou who has kicked Andy to the kerb, after he flew off on a boozy holiday to Ibiza, despite supposedly promising her he wouldn’t touch drink to save their relationship.

Lou, a respected make-up artist, has now wiped Andy from her social media.

But why she stood by him time and time again is what I cannot understand. They first started dating back in the autumn 2024 and on social media, naturally, it all seemed rather rosy.

Andy had only been single for a short time, following the end of his ill-fated marriage to Billi, the mother of his three youngest children.

But from the outside, all appeared to be well. And, long had been forgotten the scandal that had engulfed the lead up to their wedding back in 2022.

To recap, and if you don’t remember, Andy ended up landing himself in hot water after getting so drunk at his stag do in Dubai that he ended up topless and in bed with two women – who took photographs of him and shared them with pals.

I reported on the story at the time as I knew people close to Billi.

The former reality star was so humiliated by the footballer she almost called off the wedding.

Nothing happened between Andy and the women who partied with him in Dubai, but her friends confessed to me at the time that they were begging her not to marry him.

But their pleas fell on deaf ears and the pair looked genuinely happy in their wedding pictures in the summer of that year.

But fast-forward two years and they announced they were divorcing.

I rang one of her pals after hearing of his latest split with Lou and they made a pertinent point.

“Marrying Andy was something Billi did for love but it was never going to work out,” a friend admits.

“We told her not to go through with it but everything was in place for the wedding, calling it off would have been a nightmare.

“She did love him deep down and wanted to move past it though.

“Andy might not have cheated in Dubai but he was as drunk as a skunk and topless in bed with two women.

“What does it say about your future husband that he’s going to put himself in this position?”

Well, quite.

Not long after his split from Billi was revealed by The Sun, it emerged Andy had started dating Lou.

There was no crossover between the relationship and on the outside, things between Andy – who has two older children from a previous relationship – and Lou seemed happy.

Their Instagram accounts were full of snaps of them together in France, where Andy had been playing for fourth tier club Bordeaux.

But less than a year into their relationship, it all started to get a bit messy.

Lou, who is sober and has been for over a decade, appeared to have no issue with the fact Andy drank alcohol and the pair made it work.

But last summer, things came to a head in Mykonos – with Andy being quizzed by the police twice after two very public rows last June.

The first incident, at the Nikolus Tavern, was so shocking, a restaurant worker went on the record and told us Andy was “very drunk and furious” with Lou.

He added: “He was using very bad words. It was improper behaviour. The woman looked very upset.”

After speaking to police, Andy was allowed to return to Lou but just hours later alarmed staff called cops again after reports of damage to their £500-a-room at a posh hotel.

Andy was taken to a station for questioning but was released without being arrested. Despite the two incidents, Lou stuck by Andy and their relationship continued.

For eight more weeks, the pair went back to posting loved-up selfies online, until out of the blue – Andy’s pals confessed he had dumped Lou last August.

And thus the madness started.

A friend close to Andy was less than charming about their relationship when they told us about the break-up and said: “Andy got sick of Lou’s demands and her influencer lifestyle.

“She’s always posting on social media and he hates that. He told her it was over this week. He’s single now.”

Days later, Andy then confessed he’d “made a mistake” and they got together again.

But fast forward a few weeks and they split up once more.

This time was after a “make or break” holiday, with a friend saying: “They’ve tried to make it work, but they’re just too different.”

Bizarrely, even after all of this – they ended up patching things up – but unsurprisingly it’s now over again.

That relationship, which has become a very tedious version of Groundhog Day, should, in my opinion, end for good now.

And Lou, I implore you not to take Andy back.

There are only so many times someone can drag you down before something has got to give.

I had the misfortune of standing next to the Dagenham and Redbridge player at Glasto last summer as I watched The Prodigy and he got very friendly with two women during the set.

Lou had been on-site with Andy that weekend but by this point had retreated to the Babington House for a well-earned rest from the stench of the long-drops at Worthy Farm.

Being honest, I can’t work out what annoyed me more – having a colleague poke me repeatedly because Andy was all over these women while my favourite song Smack My B**** Up was playing or the fact he had the gall to act like a single man when he was in what appeared to be a loving relationship.

I’m not saying anything happened with those women, or that his actions went beyond a flirt and someone to lean on late at night.

But when a man truly loves a woman, he doesn’t give another one a second look, let alone put his arms around them when his missus’ back is turned.

We’ve all been the woman, or man, that forgives stupidity because we love. But as the old saying goes, once is happenstance, twice is a coincidence, three times is a pattern.

Don’t let him make a mug of you, Lou.

AS a family, we absolutely love a theme park holiday – it’s a chance to escape everyday life – and, if we’re honest, the adults probably need that just as much as the kids do.

Whether it’s white-knuckle rollercoasters, splash zones, storybook castles, safari adventures or pint-sized rides for mini adrenaline junkies; Europe has a theme park for it all.

But when you consider ticket prices, crowds, endless queues and the familiar challenge of keeping every age group entertained, choosing the
right destination can feel less like a holiday and more like a logistical marathon.

I’m a travel expert and mum-of-two and I love sharing tips on my page Instagram @thetravelmum on how to travel the world without spending a fortune.

Here are my pick of Europe’s best family theme parks that strike a balance between adventure and convenience, and how to enjoy them without the stress.

Plus, the best cheap accommodation to stay in while you’re there.

Europa Park, Germany

At Germany’s largest theme park, and Europe’s second largest (behind Disneyland Paris) – you’re absolutely spoilt for choice.

There’s 21 lands all themed on a different country, with world-class rollercoasters, over 100 attractions and 20 different shows.

It’s also home to waterpark, Rulantica, where you could easily spend a day in itself. Here there’s more rides and slides, as well as a toddler splash pool and a spa area for those over twelve years old.

The scale of this park, which costs Adults (12+) €67.00 (£57) – €76.00 (£65) and Child/Senior: €56.50 (£47) – €65.00 (£55) for a one-day ticket, means you’re best to explore it over a few days – stay at one of the park’s six hotels – and it’s better suited to families with older children and teens.

Getting there: 6.5 hour drive from Calais.

The nearest airports are Strasbourg, Baden Baden and Basel.

Flights: Ryanair: London Stansted to Baden Baden – return flights August 6 to August 8 August 2026 (summer holidays) from £107 per person.

Easyjet: London Gatwick to Basel – is another route often offering cheap fares.

Accommodation: Stay on-site at the new Riverside Western Lodge – a comfort plus room coming in at £1,035.50 for a family of four, on a bed and breakfast basis for three nights in October half term (October 26-29).

Kids will love the Wild West themed rooms, the free shuttle ‘Rust’ bus makes getting around easy and, as a hotel guest, you get VIP early access to the waterpark – Rulantica. 

On a budget? The on-site ‘Tipi Town’ offers a variety of glamping and lodge options – some are shared ‘dorm’ style, and some are private, but with shared bathroom facilities. From €172 (£147) for a 4-bed tipi this August, or alternatively, bring your own tent and pitch up in the Europa park campsite from €59 (£50) a night.

The savings can be substantial compared to the on-site hotels, but it’s worth noting that some options require you to bring your own bedding.

Staying on-site guarantees you access to best price park tickets, and free parking across all the accommodation types.

Our top tips:

• Book accommodation early
• Utilise budget airlines and for best prices be flexible on which airport you fly into as they’re all an easy 1-1.5 hr drive from Europa Park
• Buy tickets in advance online to save money
• Use the park app to plan your day 
• Take advantage of the excellent baby facilities onsite 
• Bring refillable water bottles 
• Plan for two full days in the park (three if doing Rulantica).

Efteling, Netherlands

One of our personal favourites to visit with our two young children, this fairy-tale inspired park with tickets ranging from €40-€56 (£34-£48), does a great job of catering to a wide range of people.

It blends rides, gentle attractions and some great rollercoasters, with beautifully detailed storytelling.

Families love the enchanting Fairytale Forest, while older children will enjoy thrill rides like Baron 1898 and Python.

The on-site accommodation is fab and, if you do want to spend more than one day in the park, it’s worth pricing up an overnight stay as it can work
out better value as you typically get park tickets for both your arrival and departure days included.

Getting there: Three-hour drive from Calais.

The nearest airports are Eindhoven and Amsterdam Schiphol, with fights from £27 return.

Getting to the Netherlands from the UK is easy – whether you prefer to drive, fly or take a ferry – you’ve got plenty of options.

Accommodation: Staying off site – we love Guesthouse Hotel Kaatshuevel – it’s not onsite but it’s within walking distance to Efteling and is perfectly designed for families.

Think spacious rooms with bunk beds for the kids, pancakes for breakfast and a rooftop garden terrace with mini golf and games.

It’s affordable too – in October half term you can get rooms from £135 per night.

In the summer, I’d recommend Bosrijk Village, woodland cottages dotted around in a pretty forest setting – with playgrounds and little streams, perfect for cooling off.

There’s an indoor pool complex too. I also loved the Efteling Grand Hotel which opened in August 2025 and has a cosy fairytale vibe – which really adds to the magic when visiting Efteling in the colder months. 

Our top tips:

• You’ll want at least two full days in the park – three would be ideal
• If staying onsite – use your early entry to do the big attractions before the queues build
• Download the app for site map, queue times and route planning
• Pack for all weathers – the Netherlands (just like the UK!) can be unpredictable
• Plan your lunchtime to avoid busy times – eat at 11.30am or 14.00pm – the popular restaurants get busy
• Don’t skip the shows – great for giving little legs a break.

PortAventura World, Spain

Located on Spain’s Costa Dorada, PortAventura World combines a major theme park, waterpark and Ferrari Land resort in one destination, along with six on-site hotels.

The theme park area is divided into six lands, each with its own atmosphere and character.

One thing we did notice is that the height requirements were higher than we have seen anywhere else, so make sure you take this into account.

There is still plenty to do for younger visitors, including the Sesame Street themed land.

We stayed in the Wild West themed Colorado Creek hotel when we visited, having booked our stay as a package from the UK – with flights, transfers, accommodation and park tickets included, it felt so easy.

On The Beach currently has a package holiday including flights, hotel and park tickets for four nights from £303pp for a family of four in August.

If you’re able to travel off-peak, it was noticeably quieter on weekdays than weekends, and another tip we learnt was that, as far as theme park fast passes go, they were relatively good value here.

For instance, On the Beach has the same 4-night offer in early September from £218pp, for a family of four.

Tickets to just the park cost £45 euros per adult and £36 for kids for two days, and also allow access to Ferrari Land.

Getting there: The nearest airport is Reus, followed by Barcelona El Prat.

Flights: Ryanair, EasyJet and Jet2 both fly from London Stansted or Manchester to Reus. 

For example, you can fly with Ryanair from Manchester to Reus from 27th July to 30th July for just £65.98 return, excluding luggage. 

Accommodation: The onsite hotels start from €130 (£112) per night, and come with their own swimming pools and park tickets included. 

They can also be booked as a package with Jet2Holidays too.

For example, a family of four can stay onsite at the 4* Hotel Gold River in October half term on a half board basis for £3,411 – which is a great price considering it includes your flights, transfers and theme park tickets for everyday you’re there. 

Our top tips:

• Travel off-peak – it was noticeably quieter on weekdays compared to weekends
• Avoid July / August (if you can) – it’s busy and it gets hot! 
• Express passes offer good value here, compared to other theme parks
• If staying onsite – retreat back to your hotel and make the most of the pools or air con during the hottest part of the day. 

Puy Du Fou, France

Puy du Fou is different from the other theme parks on our list, as there’s no rides.

Instead, all the action centres around 20 spectacular historical shows, featuring Viking battles, Roman gladiators, birds of prey, sword fights, thundering horses, fire and unbelievable stunts.

While the shows are all spoken in French, most people say it doesn’t matter as they’re so visual, but you can listen to a translation via a headset.

If you’re thinking this doesn’t sound like your thing, Puy du Fou (tickets from £38.25 (€46) for adults and kids ages 3–11 from £27.67 (€33)) was voted best theme park in the world twice.

It’s best suited to families with children aged six and over.

There’s a range of themed accommodation on site, or plenty of places to stay nearby, as you need at least two full days there to ensure you can see everything, especially as some of the shows happen after dark.

The park is huge, so prepare for long days and a lot of walking.

Use the app to map out your day in advance as you want to arrive at the shows around 30 minutes before they start to ensure entry.

It might not be your traditional theme park, but if you enjoy theatre, history and live action, immersive experiences – it’s definitely one for the list.

Getting there: It’s a six hour drive from Calais. Or the nearest airport is Nantes.

Ryanair and easyJet both serve Nantes airport from London airports, with flight prices as low as £37 return in October.

Unless you only plan on visiting Puy du Fou, you’d be best hiring a car if travelling to France by plane.

Accommodation: If you’d like to stay onsite then I strongly advise you book accommodation as far in advance – especially during the summer holidays – with prices starting at around €60 (£51.62) per person per night.

Nearby towns like Les Epesses and Les Herbiers have plenty of accommodation available on booking sites and are just a few kilometres away from Puy du Fou. 

Eurocamp has two sites within an hour’s drive of Puy de Fou Castel Camping La Garangeoire or Château La Forêt, which would make for an easy way to combine a visit here with a longer family break in the area.

You can stay for a week at the latter for a family of four in the summer holidays for just under £600. 

Our top tips:

• Download the official app and map out your day in advance – the site is huge
• Comfortable shoes are a must
• Arrive at shows 30 minutes before the start time to secure your space
• Allow for two full days in the park 
• Book restaurants in advance – they get busy

LEGOLAND Billund, Denmark

Built beside the original LEGO factory in Denmark, Legoland Billund is widely considered one of the best LEGOLAND parks in the world.

We actually prefer the park in Billund to the one in the UK.

Packed with interactive attractions, mini cities and creative play zones, it perfectly suits younger families and tickets cost from 349 DKK (£40).

The atmosphere is relaxed, clean and easy to navigate, with plenty of rides children can enjoy together with parents.

Staying in one of the themed hotels adds extra magic for younger children.

Ideal for ages two to 12, particularly primary school-aged LEGO fans.

Whilst Billund is a fairly small place, you can also tie in a trip to Lalandia Waterpark, Lego House and Wow Park.

Getting there: The nearest airport is Billund.

Billund Airport couldn’t be any closer to Legoland – it’s just a five minute drive or bus away.

However, since Ryanair stopped flying there, flight options are more limited – you can fly directly with British Airways or Norwegian from Heathrow, Gatwick and Edinburgh.

We found return flights with British Airways from Heathrow to Billund 2nd to September 7 for less than £104 return. 

The next best option is to fly to Copenhagen and take a three-hour drive or train from there.

This could be a great excuse to explore Copenhagen too, we think it’s one of the best city breaks you can do with kids. 

Accommodation: For the full Lego experience, you need to go all in and stay onsite at Legoland.

There’s a choice of accommodation, similar to the Windsor park – Legoland Hotel, Castle Hotel plus cabins and glamping barrels.

A night in September including park tickets at the Legoland hotel for a family of four is around £415 in total. 

We’d recommend using the Legoland short breaks website – as it brings up the availability and prices of not only all of the onsite accommodation but also off site options too – some of which can include your park tickets.

Just remember to consider how far away you want to be from the park – and factor in the cost of car hire or public transport. 

Our top tips:

• Don’t just focus on the rides, there’s so much more to do here – two full days would be ideal
• Packed lunches are allowed to be brought into the park and a great way to save money
• Denmark’s weather can be unpredictable – you’ll want to pack layers, waterproofs and suncream at most times of the year
• Always book your tickets in advance – it’s never the best price at the gate on the day

Energylandia, Poland

Poland’s largest theme park has fast secured a spot as one of Europe’s biggest thrill-ride destinations, known for rides like Hyperion – one of Europe’s tallest, and Zadra with its huge vertical drop.

It boasts the joint largest number of roller coasters (20) at any theme park around the world.

However, there’s still plenty to do for those looking for a more gentle experience, with dedicated areas for younger children, as well as an open-air water park included within the entry price 169PLN (£34) for kids up to 140cm and from 209PLN (£46) for anyone over 140cm.

Compared with other parks, Energylandia often comes up as one of the more budget-friendly options.

The park is do-able in a day, especially if you’re able to visit off-peak, but
two days would give you a more relaxed experience – especially if you’re catering to multiple ages.

Getting there: The nearest airport is Krakow.

With many regional airports flying to Krakow, you can really shop around for a great deal on flights – great if you’re keen to keep costs down.

For example, we found Wizz Air flights from Gatwick to Krakow from September 8-11 for under £80 return. 

Accommodation: Stay at Western Camp, just 1km away from the park – about as close as you could get. You can walk in less than 20 minutes or there’s a free shuttle.

There are often offers when booking accommodation here which include entry tickets and even a fast pass.

From Wild West themed wagons, log cabins – perfect for larger families, to tipis and even house boats – wooden lodges on stilts over the lake, it’s the perfect place for a unique and memorable family stay.

Prices start from £60 per night, and include a buffet breakfast. 

Our top tips:

• The waterpark is included in the theme park entry fee – so remember to pack swimwear
• The food onsite here is very reasonably priced – but queues for food can be long at peak times, so plan for an earlier or later lunch 
• It’s a huge site with lots of walking between areas, so wear comfy shoes!
• Download the app to see live queue times
• Buy your tickets online – not only is it cheaper, but you’ll get in quicker too

Tivoli Gardens, Denmark

One of the world’s oldest amusement parks, Tivoli Gardens combines vintage charm with modern attractions right in the heart of Copenhagen, and is said to have provided Walt Disney with some of his inspiration for Disneyland.

Unlike some of the other theme parks included in this guide, UK visitors tend to include Tivoli Gardens as part of a city break rather than as a dedicated theme park holiday.

It’s a unique place to visit, with shows, classic rides, and a few larger coasters all within beautifully landscaped gardens.

It’s not on the same overwhelming scale as some of the parks, and its range of attractions within a relatively compact area makes it a great option for all ages.

Entry tickets to the park and rides cost tickets cost 249DKK (£28) for kids aged 1-7 years and 499DKK (£57) for anyone 8 and upwards.

But you can also buy park access tickets for to 190DKK – 95DKK (£21 – £10) (but kids under three go free and children aged 3-7 are half price).

But that only gets you access to the gardens, events and concerts – you also need to pay for a ride pass 349 DKK (approx. £39) for visitors 8 and older, and 174 DKK (approx. £19) for children aged 1–7.

separately – which is great if not all of your family want to go on the rides.

Tivoli Gardens really comes to life after dark, the twinkling lights
adding to the cosy, magical vibes – for extra atmosphere, we’d recommend visiting during their popular Halloween and Christmas event weeks too.

Getting there: The nearest airport is Copenhagen.

Just a short 1.5 hour flight will land you in Copenhagen, we found bargain £55 return flights from Manchester with Ryanair from November 17-20 – which would make for a great trip to kick off the festive season. 

Accommodation: A great family-friendly hotel just 10 minutes out of the city by bus, or an easy 20- minute walk is Tivoli Hot. This place has a huge indoor play area – complete with bouncy castle and games room for older childr -n, along with a swimming pool. 

Based on a family of three sharing a room, a three-night stay between November 17-20 would be around £660 in total – which includes a fab buffet breakfast.

Our top tips:

• Combine Tivoli Gardens with a city break to Copenhagen – but remember it isn’t open all year round
• Visit at night for extra magic – although expect it to be busier!
• You can leave and re-enter the park during the day (handy if you want to hunt out cheaper food options)
• Bring refillable water bottles – tap water is free and safe 

Parque Warner Madrid, Spain

The perfect destination for superhero fans, Parque Warner Madrid is themed around DC Comics and Warner Bros across its five areas.

With six rollercoasters, Looney Tunes attractions for younger visitors, and live stunt shows, there’s plenty to do for all ages.

Being a slightly under the radar option, you can find lower queue times than at some of the larger European parks we’ve featured, particularly if you’re visiting midweek and outside of Spanish holiday periods.

It’s worth noting though that the park, with tickets costing from €32.90 (£28) doesn’t open until midday – but stays open late.

With Madrid temperatures soaring over the summer, you might want to factor in some time out of the heat.

If you fancied more than a day trip here, there’s a separate waterpark attraction that’s open over the peak summer months.

Whilst there’s no hotels on site, there’s a range of accommodation
nearby, from apartment rentals to hotels.

Getting there: The nearest airport is Madrid.

As you’d expect, reaching the capital of Spain is straightforward from the UK, with flights from most major cities.

We found return flights with Ryanair from Birmingham for just £72.98 in October half term – leaving on October 24 and returning on October 29.

Accommodation: Whilst there’s no hotels on site, there’s a range of accommodation nearby, from apartment rentals to hotels.

The best location will depend on whether you are intending to combine the park with other activities in the local area.

I’d recommend either staying centrally to Madrid and using the official shuttle bus (easier than public transport which requires a train and a bus), or in Pinto – the closest town to the park.

In Pinto, the 4* Princesa de Eboli has family rooms for around £150 per night, and is 13kms away from Parque Warner. 

Our top tips:

• Plan your route to the park in advance – especially if relying on public transport
• Arrive at opening time when it’s quieter, and head for the big attractions first 
• Don’t skip the shows, note down the timings and plan your day accordingly
• The water park is seasonal and separate to the park – it does sell out on hot days – make sure to buy tickets in advance
• The shops stay open after the rides close – so save souvenir shopping to the end of the day to maximise ride time

Gardaland, Italy

Set beside Italy’s Lake Garda, Gardaland combines family rides, themed areas and impressive scenery in one of Europe’s most picturesque locations, with tickets costing from €44 (£37).

The park caters well to younger children, but also offers major attractions including Oblivion and Blue Tornado for thrill-seekers.

Many UK families combine a visit with a relaxing Italian lakes holiday, making it ideal for mixed itineraries.

Nearby hotels and campsites provide plenty of family accommodation options. Best suited to children aged four to 15.

Getting there: The nearest airport is Verona, with flights from low-cost airlines like Ryanair, EasyJet and Jet2.

Milan Bergamo and Venice airports are also within travelling distance, so you can definitely shop around for the best flight times and prices.

You can fly from London Stansted to Verona with Ryanair on October 1-6 for just under £83 return. 

Accommodation: The original Gardaland resort, Gardaland Adventure and Gardaland Magic all have access to an outdoor swimming area.

Two nights in a Princess themed room within the Gardaland resort at the end of August is around £800 for a family of four, but does include two days entry to Gardaland, plus entry to the Legoland Water Park and to the Sealife Centre. 

The highly rated Bella Italia Eurocamp is just a 10-minute drive away – where a week’s stay in a safari lodge tent would cost £1326 for a family of four, arriving on August 24.

Our top tips:

• Arrive early to make the most of the quietest (and coolest) part of the day
• Visit midweek and avoid Italian public holidays for fewer crowds and shorter queues
• Ditch the flip flops – many rides require closed footwear! 
• You will get wet on the water rides – bring a spare change of clothes and a towel! 
• If you’re arriving by public transport, the nearest train station is Peschiera del Garda – there’s a free shuttle service to the park from there

Ultimately, there’s no single “best” theme park in Europe for families – it all comes down to what kind of trip you’re looking for.

Whether you want all-out thrills, immersive storytelling, toddler-friendly rides, spectacular live shows or a more relaxed atmosphere, there’s a park to suit every style of family holiday.

Above all, remember that the moments your children will remember most probably won’t be the perfectly planned itinerary – but the excitement of choosing the next ride together, the shared laughs, and the feeling of escaping normal life.

That’s the real magic of a theme park holiday.

THIS summer, it looks like it’s time to call a truce on the great Spain vs. Turkey debate.

Because by looking at the latest booking data, I’ve noticed a massive change in 2026.

More and more Brits are swapping Europe’s traditional heavyweight resorts for a handful of Greek destinations.

These spots serve up the exact same sunshine, brilliant beaches, and all-inclusive value – often for a chunk less money.

And because I work in travel, my screen is basically permanently locked onto live price trends and capacity numbers.

The pattern right now is clear: holidaymakers are moving away from the usual high-premium hubs in Spain, the Canaries or the Turkish rivieras because Greece has suddenly become the ultimate value loophole.

A massive influx of flight capacity from the UK means you can bag that peak-summer Mediterranean experience without paying the usual school holiday markup.

If you want to know where the smart money is heading this summer, these are the seven Greek spots I’d be circling.

7. Ixia, Rhodes

If there’s one Greek resort that’s aggressively stealing traffic from the traditional Spanish and Turkish mainstays this summer, it’s Ixia.

Our data shows a massive wave of holidaymakers ditching the likes of Benidorm, Alanya, Costa Adeje, Costa Teguise, Marmaris, and Torremolinos specifically to head here.

It gives you that classic beach holiday setup people love, but with a slightly more premium edge, proper decent hotels, and historic Rhodes Old Town sitting just a ten-minute taxi ride down the road.

Plus, you get a constant coastal breeze, which makes the peak August heat infinitely more comfortable than the suffocating temperatures you get elsewhere.

I spotted five nights at the Belair Beach from Edinburgh on 21 August, with half board and flights included, from £375pp.

The hotel sits right across the road from the front, but the real insider perk here is their specialised windsurfing and water sports station directly on the sand.

Because Ixia is a world-class windsurfing hub, the hotel has gear hire sorted right on your doorstep, meaning you can try your hand at proper coastal sports for a fraction of what a commercial water sports center down the coast would fleece you for.

6. Ialyssos, Rhodes

Just around the bay from Ixia is Ialyssos, another Rhodes resort that’s turning into one of the island’s biggest success stories.

The booking data tells us that the crowds usually bound for Benidorm, Costa Adeje, Alanya, and Marmaris are pivoting here instead.

It offers the exact same guaranteed August sunshine you’re chasing in the western Med, but swaps the crowded strips for a much more relaxed, authentic village vibe and some brilliant, family-run apartment setups.

I found five nights at the Trianta Hotel Apartments from 19 August, with flights included, from £255pp.

Landing peak summer flights and accommodation for barely over two hundred and fifty quid is a massive result.

This property is notoriously highly rated by return guests, and the standout feature here is its poolside taverna nights.

Instead of serving up generic, mass-produced package food, the family that runs the place cooks up proper, home-style Greek mezze using vegetables grown in their own garden lot behind the apartments. It’s elite local dining on a shoestring budget.

5. Messonghi, Corfu

If you’re after somewhere that feels slower, greener, and a bit more rustic than the sprawling concrete mega-resorts, Messonghi is a top-tier shout.

And this year, it’s proving particularly popular with Brits swapping away from Benidorm, Costa Adeje, and Alanya.

Corfu‘s scenery is stunning, the beaches are incredibly calm, and a massive boost in regional UK flight routes this year has driven package prices right down into bargain territory.

One standout deal I spotted was five nights all inclusive at Canvas by Mitsis Messonghi from 20 August, with flights included, from £478pp.

And getting a fully loaded, peak-season Mitsis property under the £500 mark is an absolute steal.

The beachfront setting and massive pool complexes at this hotel are brilliant for keeping kids occupied, but what elevates this place above so many Spanish hotels for me is the complimentary, on-site aqua park.

They’ve integrated a proper mini waterpark into the resort grounds with zero entry fees, saving you from shelling out €40 a head for a public waterpark day trip into town.

4. Faliraki, Rhodes

Faliraki has completely reinvented its identity over the last decade.

While people of my generation might still associate it with rowdy 18-30 nightlife, today it’s quietly morphed into one of Rhodes‘ best all-round family beach resorts.

I’m seeing a huge influx of families swapping over from Benidorm, Marmaris, the Costa Blanca, and Alanya to secure one of the island’s widest sandy coastlines and a massive number of modern hotels.

I found five nights at the Hillside Studios from 25 August, with flights included, from £340pp. 

It serves as a brilliant, no-nonsense base with an immaculate pool area, but the secret benefit of this specific hotel is its location near the Erimokastro hills.

Because it sits just outside the central valley, the hotel offers an incredibly peaceful night’s sleep away from the main resort hum, and it puts you right on the doorstep of the hidden, cliff-sheltered Astron Beach cove – a spot most tourists completely miss!

3. Kiotari, Rhodes

If your main holiday priority is peace, quiet, and premium lounging, Kiotari is easily one of my favourite recommendations on the map.

More people are moving here from heavy-hitting hubs like Alanya in Turkey because the hotels feel noticeably more luxurious and modern than the older resort blocks elsewhere in the Med, serving up wide beaches, reliable sunshine, and massive all-inclusive footprints without the premium price tag.

One deal that stood out to me was five nights all inclusive at the Kiotari Miraluna Beach Resort from 19 August, with flights included, from £535pp.

My pick of the features at this resort is easily the cinema lounge.

They run open-air family movie nights right on the edge of the sand under the stars in the evening, which is a fantastic, high-end touch that lets you unwind with a drink by the waves while the kids are completely glued to a big screen.

2. Hersonissos, Crete

Crete never goes out of fashion, and Hersonissos remains the undisputed king of its value market.

Holidaymakers are increasingly swapping over from traditional mainstays like Benidorm and Marmaris, tempted by Crete’s reliable weather, lively waterfront, and massive choice of hotels.

It delivers that buzzing, lively atmosphere that Brits love, but pairs it with incredible independent tavernas, fascinating ancient history, and excellent flight availability from pretty much every major UK runway.

I spotted five nights at the Palatia Village Apartments from 20 August, with self-catering and flights included, from £283pp.

The hotel serves up fantastic, panoramic views across the bay, but the real selling point here is the traditional Cretan architecture of the rooms.

The apartments are styled like a mini, stone-walled Greek village rather than a sterile hotel corridor, meaning you get that high-end, boutique aesthetic for under three hundred quid.

1. Kavos, Corfu

Kavos might raise a few eyebrows on a value list, but the resort landscape here is changing rapidly.

Beyond the main neon strip, there is an influx of quieter, family-run properties that are drawing in couples and budget-conscious travellers who simply want cheap sun without the chaos.

And these great summer prices are driving a massive spike in people swapping here instead of choosing Spain’s traditional budget resorts.

A deal that really caught my eye was five nights at the Oula Maisonettes from 25 August, with self-catering and flights included, from just £235pp.

This is a small, family-run complex that heavily over-delivers for the money.

The absolute best feature here is the independent duplex layout of the maisonettes themselves.

Having your living area completely separate from the upstairs sleeping quarters gives you a proper apartment feel, allowing you to relax on your private terrace with a cold drink after the kids have gone to bed without waking them up.

IT’S everybody’s worst nightmare bumping into their ex-partner, let alone when they are with their new girlfriend – But we can reveal that Laura Hamilton is said to be bracing herself for just that.

Yesterday, The Sun told how her former husband had moved on with a stunning PR girl and now, insiders tell us how the A Place in the Sun presenter really feels about it  – and why their two worlds could collide. 

Laura, who split from Alex Goward in 2022 after 13 years together, is understood to be unhappy about his new romance with stunning PR guru Becky Knowles – a relationship we can reveal has actually been quietly underway for more than a year.

Alex, 45, and Becky, who bears a striking resemblance to his ex-wife, went public with their relationship this week.

However, Alex does in fact appear on Becky’s social media as far back as June last year, with the couple also enjoying a romantic holiday together last September.

The pair are said to have kept things low-key out of respect for Laura and the children she shares with Alex – Rocco, 12, and 11-year-old Tahlia – but felt that after a year together, it was the right time to make things public.

However, Laura is said to be worried about coming face-to-face with her ex’s new girlfriend as they move in similar showbiz circles.

She is also said to be uncomfortable with Becky’s high-profile friendship group, which includes Pussycat Doll Ashley Roberts, Louise Redknapp and singer Cheryl.

“Becky has always moved in fabulous circles – even more so than Laura!” a source said.

“She has lots of showbiz friends and her sister Emma Lucy is a famous crystal healer who regularly appears on This Morning and is best friends with Holly Willoughby. Becky was also very close to Caroline Flack.

“One person not so happy about it all is Laura. She’s had a while to come to terms with it all privately, but now it’s out in the open; it’s opened old wounds – nobody wants to see their ex with someone younger and more beautiful, let alone so successful.

“Laura is also very worried about bumping into them because Becky moves in the same showbiz circles. She attends the premieres, celebrity launches and has lots of A-list friends, so she’s dreading bumping into her ex and Becky in public. It will be incredibly difficult and awkward for her.”

Becky and Alex went Instagram official this week, sharing snaps of the pair enjoying a date night together.

In one photo, he rested his hand on Becky’s leg as she, dressed in a short black skirt and heels, posed alongside him at a bar. A second image showed the couple holding drinks, with Becky kissing him on the cheek.

Stunning Becky uploaded the snaps with the caption: “Us” and a love heart emoji, before Alex reposted them to his story.

Friends say she is “smitten” and that it’s the happiest they’ve ever seen her.

One said: “We all knew this was very serious as soon as she posted him on her Instagram – everyone was like ‘omg who’s this guy’? Because Becky has been single for years and years and years!

“She’s very confident, outgoing, smart and has got extremely high standards. She’s also so incredibly beautiful. She has always had admirers, but she is far too driven and busy with work and her friends to be tied down to just anyone – so we knew that he must be the one.

“They’ve actually been together for over a year now, but kept things low-key out of respect for Laura and his children. It felt like the right time to go Instagram official this week – they are so in love and the happiest they’ve ever been.”

Laura has also been trying to move on following her split – but has found Alex’s news hard to take.

Our source said: “Laura wants her ex to be happy, but she can’t help feeling a bit irked by Becky and all this. The last thing she wants to see is him draped all over his beautiful new girlfriend in the press. That’s her world!”

In 2023, Laura opened up about her “tough” divorce from Alex, saying she had to stay strong for their children.

She said: “You say content, but I have moments when I feel this is tough, this is hard, this is not what I expected my life to be. But I’m a glass-half-full person, and I have to be positive. I have to be strong. Am I making the best of the situation as I can right now? Yes, 100 per cent.

“But I do get sad because things went the way they did. I might look like everything is fine all the time, and that’s how things come across on social media, but no, I’d be a robot if I didn’t have those emotions.

‘Do I let myself cry? Yes, all the time. And I encourage Rocco and Tahlia to always share their feelings. It is better to talk and let the emotions out than bottle up.”

Two years after their divorce, Laura was linked to married businessman James Pettigrew, who was said to also be going through a divorce at the time, and the pair were seen kissing in her car.

But she later refused to be drawn on the relationship.

She said at the time: “I’m dating. I’m having fun. No, I don’t have the apps. I’ve tried those in the past three years. I went on Raya and thought: ‘This is not for me.’ I like to meet people organically.

“People do look at me and say: ‘I know you from somewhere…’ and that starts a conversation.

“I did go out on a date with somebody, and the only thing he wanted to talk about was buying a property in the sun. I’m not here to be your property consultant!

“But it’s quite difficult for me to date when you look at my life and how busy I am. I’ve got two children and I’m abroad every other week.” 

But while dating has been difficult for Laura, it seems it’s not been quite so much of a struggle for her ex.

FIRST REVIEW CONFESSIONS II

★★★★★

AS one of the most talked-about, celebrated and frequently derided pop stars of all time, returning with her first album in seven years is a high-stakes move for Madonna.

The Queen of Pop has never left it so long between albums in her 43-year career. And she has taken an even bigger risk by recording a ­follow-up to her much-lauded 2005 dance-pop opus, Confessions On A Dancefloor.

But rather than playing it safe, ­Confessions II sees her doing just that — confessing.

She addresses everything from how she failed her eldest daughter Lourdes to her regrets over her relationship with her late brother, Christopher Ciccone.

And also, surprisingly, how her first husband, Sean Penn, 65, made her feel during their short-lived marriage.

The most venom-tongued track is titled Bizarre, in which she squarely attacks the Hollywood A-lister, who she was married to from 1985 to 1989.

She references the 1968 Shelby GT500 convertible she gave him as a wedding gift and his conviction for reckless driving in 1987.

And she also lays into how Penn was “threatened” by her and claims he resented her while they were together.

Madge sings: “Love is the strangest thing. Just when you think you’ve finally let go, it comes back to you.

“Movie star, deep blue eyes. In Hollywood, we’re a perfect prize.

“He drove way too fast, Shelby Cobra wasn’t meant to last.”

Earlier the lyrics had turned to anger, as she sings: “Roll out the carpet for us, but you don’t share it.

“All ’cause you’re threatened by me, you won’t admit it.

“The little things that you do don’t make me want you. Who knew love could be so bizarre?”

And in a later verse, she adds: “I know I left you behind and you resent me.

“A thousand reasons why you could never have me.

“The thought of being with you is so indecent. I guess you’ll never know my dirty little secret.”

Penn isn’t the only subject of her scorn, with Betrayal appearing to be about her stepmum Joan, who died in 2024 while the album was being made. Madonna did not attend her funeral.

The singer was five years old when she lost her mum — who she was named after — to breast cancer. Three years later, in 1966, her dad Silvio married Joan, who worked briefly for the family as a housekeeper.

In the opening verse of Betrayal, Mad­onna sings: “This is a story of betrayal. You couldn’t see your fall from grace.

“So take the hammer, hit the nail. You’ll never take my mother’s place.”

And later in the track, she adds: “You betrayed me, you enslaved me.”

But Madonna, 67, shows her softer side on The Test, which sees her and Lourdes, 29 — the eldest of her six kids — open up about their at-times difficult relationship.

On how her daughter was thrust into the limelight because of her own fame, Madonna sings: “Little star, I tried to put you on a pedestal, you didn’t ask for all the flashing lights.

“I didn’t think of how we could disturb, or how it hurt. I wish I knew the pain I caused.”

She continues: “Sometimes I think you wish I’d go away, but the shadow stays, and it’s OK to be yourself.”

Madge also appears to touch on her 2023 brush with death, when she was found unresponsive at her New York apartment and placed into a coma after suffering from an infection that led to sepsis.

Lourdes, 29, who Madonna had with fitness trainer Carlos Leon, was among those that rallied around her in hospital.

Madonna sings: “You made me whole when I was broken, too. I hope and pray I can do the same for you.”

Paying tribute to her mum, Lourdes sings: “You are my reason to be, what I want or look like, what I wear, all the clothes on my back, and what I attract.

“I trace the line of what you have sewn. Keep my own design. Make it a landscape. Make it alive.”

Elsewhere on the album Madonna makes peace with Christopher, who she was accused of “dropping” as her creative director in the early-2000s, and who later wrote a book titled Life With My Sister Madonna.

The once-close pair never fully repaired their relationship and he died of cancer at the age of 63, in October 2024 although she says he now visits her in her dreams.

On the song Fragile, she sings: “We shared a name, a home. We shared a fragile bond, now you’re gone.

“We laughed, we cried, we held each other’s hands. We had each other’s eyes and they belonged

“This is the time I hate the most, the words inside my heart

“I know you’re fragile ’cause you’ve been hurt, been let down.”

At the end of the track, she adds: “Late last night I was fast asleep, you came to me in a dream.

“You said don’t forget about me, don’t forget to be happy.

“So I hope you found a higher ground.”

The 16-track album clocks in at almost 64 minutes, and is a metaphor for a night out, starting with the heavy, pulsating beats of a club.

Then the final five songs represent the evening winding down, with Madonna spilling out her deepest feelings with the bravery and vulnerability that comes from a night of loud, messy partying.

When she reaches the last track L.E.S. Girl — about her life pre-fame on the Lower East Side of New York — you can hear traffic beeping, signalling she is finally on her way home as the morning rush hour starts.

It’s a neat arc for the ambitious album, which she once again made with English producer and songwriter Stuart Price, who she teamed up with on the first Confessions album.

But this record is much darker, heavier and grown-up.

And as well as being symbolic of a single night out, Madonna uses it to represent key parts of her life and the moments that have made her.

The most brilliantly bombastic highlight comes in Danceteria — named after the New York nightclub where she found her friends in the industry and where DJs played her music for the first time.

It’s a feel-good number with a Vogue-style rap and namechecks for everyone from her pal Debi Mazar to artist Jean-Michel Basquiat and even The B-52s.

Another highlight comes with Love Sensation, which appears to be a tribute to her boyfriend, Akeem Morris, 30.

She started dating the former football player in 2024, two years after ending a three-year romance with dancer Ahlamalik Williams, 31, and they now live together in London.

Madonna sings: “When I feel alone I always want to bring you near ’cause you bring a smile right here. You chase away my darkest hours.”

And in the chorus she continues: “Baby, come and get with me, there’s something that I gotta do.

“Baby, when you’re here with me, there’s nothing that we cannot do.”

So far in her career Madonna has sold 450million albums, and counting.

And with this project, she proves there is still plenty of passion, ambition and talent.

Undoubtedly it is her most cohesive and accomplished album since the original Confessions, 21 years ago.

And long may the Queen of Pop ­continue to reign.

LOVE, BETRAYAL AND ECSTASY ON SWEET 16

I Feel So Free: The opening track, released in April, is a throbbing song with breathy vocals and a sample of the 1989 Lil Louis acid house track French Kiss, complete with orgasm. It’s a statement of what’s to come as she says: “On the dancefloor, I feel so free.”

Good For The Soul: Heavy-sounding verses make way for a buoyant and optimistic pop chorus, all about how important letting your hair down is. It was written on her first session for the record.

One Step Away: Madonna dives headfirst into house music on this pulsating track about the release she feels in a nightclub. Over the beat, she utters: “The dance floor is not just a place, it’s a threshold. A ritualistic space where movement replaces language.”

Bring Your Love: The credibly cool lead single features Sabrina Carpenter, uniting two generations of pop stars who are resolute in their determination not to be swayed by naysayers. In the chorus they say: “Bring your love ’cause you cannot shake me. Bring your love ’cause you’ll never break me.”

Danceteria: “Everyone here is a work of art,” Madonna sings on this wonderfully poppy single, inspired by the New York nightclub she went to as a youngster.

Read My Lips: Spanish guitar and a guest appearance from Colombian singer Feid give this a different feel, though there’s a Latin trap beat to keep the party going. It’s clear Madge isn’t happy on it, though, singing: “You cut me with your lies, ’cause you hurt me with your kiss.”

Everything: It opens with strings reminiscent of her 1992 track Deeper And Deeper, but evolves to have regular house music breakdowns fit for a packed Ibiza dancefloor. And she’s worked up, spitting: “It’s not OK, I don’t f*** with it.”

Love Sensation: Pop makes a return on this heart-warming crowd-pleaser. “There’s nothing that we cannot do,” she repeats as the track builds to euphoric choruses. This is destined to be a future single.

Love Without Words: An ode to partying, starts with the sound of smoke being pumped on to a dance floor. “Call it trance, call it house, call it love without words,” she sings.

Bizarre: Madonna teamed up with super-producer Martin Garrix for this revenge track about her ex Sean Penn. The melody, complemented by strings and hints of EDM production, is enough to have people throwing their hands in the air.

School: “I can make moves on the dance floor, I can make love on a man’s floor,” she breathlessly coos on this track, on which her vocals are heavily distorted. It’s one of the weaker songs.

Fragile: There’s a major change of pace with break beats and strings, as she sweetly sings about her late brother Christopher. Her voice truly takes centre stage here.

My Sins Are My Savior: She is joined by Belgian rapper Stromae on this dark and moody track, which wouldn’t sound out of place on 1992’s Erotica album. Reflecting on the criticism in her career, she sings: “I was not lost, I was just broken. They tried to take me down, they tried to take my crown.”

Betrayal: She teams up with producer Mirwais, who she first worked with in 2000, on this 90s-inspired track, featuring brass and piano over bleak and mournful vocals.

The Test: Madonna has said Lourdes approached her about working together to heal their rift, and it certainly sounds cathartic. Her daughter’s voice here is far smoother, but they blend exquisitely.

L.E.S GIRL: It’s the end of the night, Madonna is on her way home and she’s reflecting on when she was a “Lower East Side girl, lost in a fragile world.” It’s a tear- jerker, and triumphant look back at how far she has come. The perfect ending.

AS one of Hollywood’s highest-earning actresses, Millie Bobby Brown has her pick of big-budget productions.

But she reckons British reality show The Celebrity Traitors would be the perfect platform for her secret manipulation skills — after she beat a lie-detector test.

The inquisitive actress took a polygraph with her Enola Holmes movie co-star Louis Partridge, who ended up in a real sweat as he was grilled.

But Millie, 22, remained so composed under questioning, that the machine failed to spot she was telling porkies.

The Stranger Things star, who earned nearly £20million last year, says: “I so want to be on The Traitors. I think I’d be really good.

“Do you know why? I did a lie-detector test with Louis, and Louis was sweating during the whole thing and could not lie.

“And then he said, ‘Her hands are getting cooler and she’s evading the questions’.

“Somehow, the report has come back, like, ‘She’s a pathological liar’.”

The BBC and its Traitors host Claudia Winkleman should get right on the telephone to Millie’s agent, because her appeal to young audiences is unrivalled by any other actress from these shores.

Millie, who grew up in Bournemouth, has been acting since she was nine.

For nearly a decade, she played telepathic Eleven in Strangers Things, which broke streaming records on Netflix before ending last December.

She is now back as Sherlock ­Holmes’ detective sister in her third Enola Holmes movie, which lands on the streaming channel today.

Millie is also working on a host of ideas, producing projects alongside her 24-year-old husband Jake Bongiovi, who is the son of rock singer Jon Bon Jovi.

The couple, who married in May 2024, have a lot on their hands.

Not only did they adopt a baby girl last summer, they also have a huge menagerie of animals at their home in Georgia — including sheep, ponies, goats, cows and ten dogs.

Some critics have questioned whether Millie was too young to adopt at the age of 21.

But she says: “I love being a young mum because I’m able to run around and chase after her.

“And I love where I’m at right now. I never was the kind of girl to be, like, out on the town, you know? So it wasn’t just in my nature. I love living on my farm. I love sewing.”

Having missed out on a normal childhood because she grew up on sets with “men over 40 years old” talking about “grips” and “ladders”, Millie was not the most outgoing teenager.

But that has all changed since she met Jake.

Millie explains: “I can’t talk about, you know, ‘Oh my God, what bars do you like around this area?’. I lack a little bit of that.

“When I met my husband, he’s the most social butterfly, the complete opposite of me. I really tried to lean more into that.”

A lot of Millie’s time, though, is spent watching the telly at home — where ITV’s Love Island is her guilty pleasure. Although Jake is not so keen on the dating show.

She says: “Love Island. He’s like, ‘Millie, I don’t care about these ­people’. And I’m like, ‘Well, I do. And they just broke up’.

“Yeah, I’m a reality TV snob. I mean, I just watch every show out there.”

Film buff Jake would rather go to the cinema to watch a movie, but parenthood now makes nights out a bit tricky.

And Millie says she usually nods off if she settles down in front of a movie.

She reveals: “I have to have a coffee because I typically fall asleep. It’s not because of the film, it’s because I’m tired. I’m a mum.”

Even though she is still only 22, Millie is now almost a showbusiness veteran, having been in the industry for 13 years.

She is able to call on a host of big names for advice, including Top Gun and Mission Impossible megastar Tom Cruise.

Millie is also close to many of the actors she has appeared with on screen, including Winona Ryder, Matthew Modine and David Harbour who are her Stranger Things co-stars.

There is also Helena Bonham Carter, who is her character’s mum in Enola Holmes.

Millie says: “Winona will text every four months, but the longest message ever. However, Helena Bonham ­Carter, she is there for me whenever I need her, and I’m very, very ­grateful to her.

“Matthew Modine, my godfather. He officiated my wedding.”

Tom Cruise is also only ever a phone call away. Millie says: “I’m very lucky to call him my friend.”

Now, she is paying back the support she has received from industry greats by helping to mentor young talent.

Owen Cooper, 16, was thrust into the limelight when his debut performance in Netflix drama Adolescence led to a string of awards, including an Emmy last year.

Millie says: “He has my number, anytime he needs me, has any questions. He texts me, he’s like, ‘Hey, am I doing this magazine? Is this, like, one I should do?’.

“And I’m like, ‘Owen, do what makes you happy. If you’re not tired, do it. But if you’re tired, don’t do it.

“‘Don’t run yourself into the ground and listen to your parents and just enjoy it. But don’t push yourself’.”

Reports emerged at the end of last year about a claimed fall-out between Millie and David Harbour.

It was alleged that she had filed a bullying and harassment claim against the 51-year-old actor, who played her adoptive father in Stranger Things.

But there is no sign of tension in Millie’s interview to promote Enola Holmes 3, where she speaks warmly about David.

She says: “I’m very lucky. David Harbour’s a great person. I like to talk to him.”

The duo are teaming up again for a Netflix TV series, where David is a former FBI agent reunited with his daughter, played by Millie.

The actress insists the untitled project, which will be written by Adolescence co-creator Jack Thorne, is “concrete”.

Millie adds: “The schedule is insane and it’s just placing things in the right place for my time and my schedule. But the David Harbour project is sooner than expected, I think.”

Most recently, Millie filmed a romantic comedy called Just Picture It and has written a book about her grandmother’s World War Two ­stories, called Nineteen Steps.

Whatever she is doing, the young actress and producer will make sure that everyone is comfortable with the working environment.

Discussing the main rules on set, the Gen Z icon says: “I don’t tolerate any bullying. I don’t tolerate any negativity.

“I have been in situations like that before and I only tolerate positivity, love, friendship, kindness, trust, communication.

“And I just will stop people in their tracks if I see that.

“I’ll just take them to the side and be, ‘This isn’t working’.

“I’ll just take them to the side and be, ‘This isn’t working’. We’re playing pretend, for goodness sake. My daughter plays pretend. This is meant to be fun.

“You know, let’s not yell or be upset or dwell on something that’s very, very small and minor.”

Years in showbiz, which is often unforgiving, has clearly taught Millie how to cope with relentless negativity.

The hatred she has experienced online led her to delete her social media in 2021 and leave someone else to deal with her digital output.

She explains: “I needed to hire someone for my mental health to take care of it for me.”

There is no escaping the trolls, though, and last year she called for the cruel comments about her appearance to stop.

There were dumb remarks online about her appearing to be aged 35 or 40.

Afterwards, Little Britain creator Matt Lucas apologised for posting, “No but, yeah but” — the catchphrase of TV “chav” Vicky Pollard — next to an image of Millie in a pink tracksuit top.

He admitted it was a misplaced gag.

Fortunately, Millie is now able to laugh off those brickbats, intended or not.

She says with a smile: “If you Google it, everybody says I look like a 50-year-old. And honestly, I am here for that.

“My mum looks amazing for 50. Gosh, I feel very much 22.”

Let’s all hope that is the truth, and that Millie has the youthful energy to keep up her incredible output on screen.

And with any luck, we will see her plotting away in a cloak inside a Scottish castle very soon.

• Enola Holmes 3 is streaming on Netflix from today.

THIS summer’s celebrity trend isn’t a snatched waistline or even a peachy backside.

It’s the ‘11-line abs’ – a pair of razor sharp lines running down the stomach.

A host of stars, including Jodie Comer, Zendaya and Maura Higgins, have been proudly proving the magic number is 11 by flaunting their honed stomachs.

It’s an enviable look that screams gruelling hours at the gym and super-low body fat.

Until now, the number 11 was something women dreaded as it referred to the pair of lines that form between the eyebrows through frowning.

Now, however, 11 has become the ultimate badge of fitness — 11-line abs are created by the natural gap between the six-pack muscles (rectus abdominis) and the abdomen’s side muscles (obliques).

While it may have once been tacky to show off your naked waist, this year people are exhibiting their defined midriffs everywhere — not just at the beach or the gym but on the red carpet, too.

Earlier this month, actress Jodie Comer looked sensational at a star-studded bash as she flashed her sculpted midriff in a black dress.

But if you think achieving this physique is as simple as jumping on fat jabs, you need to think again — it’s down to exercise and good nutrition, according to women’s fitness expert Shakira Akabusi.

“There isn’t a single magic exercise to achieve visible abs,” says mum-of-four Shakira.

“But a great set of core exercises are planks, dead bugs, hanging knee raises and bicycles. Compound exercises like squats and deadlifts are also great.”

Although Shakira recommends a well-rounded diet, she says “a modest calorie deficit” is necessary to reduce body fat.

She adds: “Your abdominal muscles sit beneath a fat layer, so visible definition relies on overall body composition as well as building muscle.”

The expert emphasised that aesthetics and health shouldn’t be confused.

“Visible ab definition is not a marker of health, and is down to many factors including genetics, hormones, body fat distribution, nutrition and even lighting.

“So, don’t be fooled by social media posts.”

Sam Thompson finally found a reason to smile again with new girlfriend Talitha Balinska after his devastating split from ex Zara McDermott.

But while the pair are certainly loved up, some members of his inner circle have told The Sun they are questioning whether Talitha may turn out to be Zara 2.0.

According to a source close to Sam, they believe his new model and DJ squeeze appears to be following too closely in his ex’s footsteps – and could secretly harbour desires to have a career as big as the former Love Island and Strictly Come Dancing beauty.

A member of Sam’s posse tells us: “Talitha seems like a nice girl but a few eyebrows have been raised by some of Sam’s pals about how easily she has slotted into his showbiz world and how comfortable she seems in the spotlight.

“They have questioned whether she is enjoying the profile boost that comes with dating a guy like Sam, because she wasn’t as well known before dating him.

They added: “These days she always seems to be invited brand trips or flogging online ads in a way she wasn’t before, so it feels like being with Sam has opened some major doors for her. You can’t necessarily blame her for taking advantage of that, but it has raised some eyebrows.”

After the ties with ex Zara severed, Sam had quite the “glow-up” and he soon captured the attention of model and DJ Talitha.

Former Made In Chelsea star Sam told how Talitha was “the one” earlier this year, but not everyone in his life is convinced.

“It feels like he has rushed head over heels into the next full-on relationship, but that’s Sam, he’s like a puppydog in love.

“Talitha could turn out to be the love of his life, but we’re his friends and we’re protective. We don’t want to see him get hurt.”

Sam first met gorgeous Talitha in 2024 on a photoshoot for Sam’s sunglasses brand Dinelli Eyewear but they didn’t begin to date until a few months after his split from Zara.

Once the couple were spotted together in October last year and Sam began mentioning her online, Talitha’s influencer career really took off.

The 24-year-old’s following grew by 900 per cent on Instagram and she started cashing in on more advertisement deals.

Not only that, Talitha has been making the most of her newfound fame, jetting off on brand trips, scooping freebies and enjoying lavish dinners.

She was spotted a few weeks ago partying on a yacht in Marbella, Spain, after being whisked away by The Couture Club.

The model has taken the place of the Love Island legend in a string of Sam’s social media ads – something he once enjoyed doing with Zara.

Our source adds: “Sam and Zara would often beg their family and friends to get involved with the funny twists they would put on their content – it looks as though history is repeating itself.

” A few of us have pointed out that Talitha often appears on social media “playing the eye-rolling” girlfriend, something Zara had perfected, or the one who laughs at all his jokes.

The source said: “A few who knew Zara really well have commented that Talitha seems to basically be copying her – the way she acts on social media is very similar, playing the foil to him is the same schtick Zara used to do in his Instagram and TikTok videos.”

Sam’s posse have noticed that Talitha has also become tight with Sam’s sister Louise, who absolutely adores her.

Zara was incredibly close to Louise and the pair were often spotted together.

“Talitha seems like she’s really close with his sister Louise, just like Zara was, but they have hardly known each other for a fraction of the time,” says our insider.

“It all feels a bit too much too fast, like she is already a member of the family.

“Some of us have joked that she’ll be landing her own BBC Three documentary series next, or trying to get cast on a reality show.”

Talitha’s influence has already begun to make its mark on Sam’s home, too.

This Morning‘s Sam revealed on his podcast, Staying Relevant, that he was getting his garden redone with a huge water feature, top-notch barbecue and bougie seating area.

But when he was quizzed on the new expense by his best pal Pete Wicks, Sam admitted he was forking out because Talitha wanted him too.

The 33-year-old claimed he’d rather have spent the cash on a lavish break away but his girlfriend felt a remodelled garden would be the perfect place for them to spend time.

Documentary maker Zara, 29, previously staked her claim on the home as the exes carved their names into the kitchen wood. Sam later admitted this wasn’t his choice either.

The podcast host got the room redecorated for the second time in just a few years to wipe any trace of Zara, who has since moved on with former One Direction star Louis Tomlinson.

Talitha, who now appears to have properly moved in to Sam’s home, took to Instagram recently to admit that she was forcing him to move his clothes so she could have more wardrobe space.

Despite what some of Sam’s posse think, others say Talitha “picked Sam up at a time when he was really heartbroken,” and “put a smile back on his face again.”

According to a source close to Talitha , the couple are really happy and they don’t understand why some people are trying to “tear her down.”

Her pal continues: “Talitha is actually quite introverted and not in this for the fame.

“She already had an influencer profile before getting together with Sam, so anything she gets offered now comes from her already being in this world.

“Maybe some brands have reached out to her since she has been with Sam, but it’s not Talitha actively seeking these things out.

“She is with Sam for the right reasons, she’s a genuine girl and it’s disappointed for anyone to suggest she wants to copy Zara.

“She’s aware of Sam’s exes, but everyone has an ex and she is an ex for a reason. Talitha certainly doesn’t want to be the next Zara, because why would he even want to be with a clone of his former flame?

“It’s just silly – a case of someone trying to pit women against women. Sam and Talitha are happy, so anyone who thinks otherwise is not a real friend of either of them.”

The Sun has reached out to reps for Sam and Talitha for comment.

DREAMING of a luxurious 5-star all-inclusive holiday, but not wanting to break the bank?

It turns out you don’t need to fork out on Ibiza, Mykonos or Saint Tropez to lounge at a glamorous beach club or enjoy a five-star stay this year.

Luckily, there are some lesser-known European spots where you can live the high life on holiday for much less.

We’re talking glittering marinas, trendy rooftop bars, boat trips on clear water bays and beaches that look like the world’s most expensive hotspots – but for a fraction of the price.

With cocktails under £3 and shockingly affordable five-star stays, here are the holiday spots where your money goes the furthest.

Durres, Albania

If you want a holiday that feels like five-star luxury without the price tags of Ibiza or Mykonos, Durres feels like the ultimate cheat code.

This stunning stretch of the Adriatic coast has quickly transformed into a high-end hotspot packed with glam beachfront clubs and bars.

Head to Sunset Bar for an outdoor drinking spot that lets the views do all the talking – and where cocktails cost as little as 300 lek (£2.75).

Here, comfy striped sofas look out to a stretch of glimmering sea on Albania‘s Adriatic coast that has fantastic sunsets.

Another affordable but luxurious spot is Illyrian Garden, a 360° rooftop bar with a secret garden-themed terrace.

Cocktails here start at 500 lek, which works out to roughly £4.60.

It’s also worth visiting this spot in the daytime to sip a strong local coffee and soak up the rays.

Plus, the hotels in Durres offer a luxurious, five-star feel for a fraction of the price. We found a deal for an all-inclusive week away that works out to £62pp per night.

Turquoise Coast, Turkey

For a taste of the high life that won’t drain your savings, Turkey’s sun-drenched Turquoise Coast offers spectacular value.

There are plenty of holiday spots to pick from along the Turkish coast, but there are two particularly affordable areas.

Antalya is the king of the mega resort – here, ultra all-inclusive packages mean round-the-clock pampering, top-tier dining, and huge pool complexes for low prices.

It’s a fantastic area for families, with the Land of Legends theme park resort on your doorstep in Belek, as well as unique attractions like the Antalya Toy Museum and shallow water beaches like Lara Beach.

If you prefer a chic escape with glitzy bars and a vibrant marina, head to the Aegean side to Bodrum.

Bodrum delivers a Saint Tropez feel on a budget, with a waterfront lined with glamorous bars and lounges facing yachts.

It’s hard to go wrong whichever spot you choose on the Turquoise Coast. A budget-friendly meal out averages at £5.88 in Bodrum and £6.20 in Antalya, according to Wise.

Hurghada, Egypt

Red Sea hotspot Hurghada is a great-value alternative to further flung destinations, offering year-round sunshine and affordable all-inclusive hotels.

Away from the resorts, you can snorkel world-famous pristine reefs, or set sail to the sandy Giftun Islands and go dolphin watching on a boat trip that can cost as little as £20.

Considering you have endless soft sand beaches and exciting water activities on your doorstep, prices here are surprisingly cheap.

According to Wise, a meal out at an inexpensive restaurant averages at £2.82, and a beer can cost you as little as 83p.

Plus there’s plenty of attractions here for families, including waterparks like Jungle Aqua Park and Makadi Water World, as well as activities like parasailing and dune buggies on sites such as GetYourGuide.

Bay of Kotor, Montenegro

For jaw-dropping landscapes, reliable sunshine and luxurious hotels for cheap, try a trip to the Bay of Kotor in Montenegro.

The scenery here has the dramatic feel of the Norwegian fjords, mixed with the sunshine and glamour of the Italian lakes.

The crystal-clear bay is framed by towering limestone cliffs, backed by cobblestone medieval towns such as Kotor and Perast – perfect for an afternoon of exploring.

Montenegro itself remains incredibly wallet-friendly compared to other European spots with dramatic landscapes, such as Switzerland.

Head to the Old Town Pub Kotor for €5 (£4.31) cocktails, and go out for dinner guilt-free with your pick of budget-friendly restaurants. A meal out can cost you just £8.63 per person, according to Wise.

You can easily spend your days here cruising on water taxis for less than a tenner or simply hiking and exploring beautiful coastal trails completely for free.

Plus, you can absolutely book yourself into a super sleek all-inclusive hotel on a budget.

Sveti Vlas, Bulgaria

Sveti Vlas sits on Bulgaria‘s Black Sea coast, where the green slopes of the Balkan Mountains sweep down to the water.

This sophisticated pocket of Bulgaria is the classy, tranquil sibling to the neighbouring party hub of Sunny Beach.

Explore the buzz of the Marina Dinevi, where you can stroll past yachts, dine at waterfront restaurants, and lounge at trendy beach clubs that mimic the upscale vibes of Marbella or Ibiza.

Soul Beach Bar offers huge, pristine white daybeds on the sand with fresh fruit cocktails and glowing lanterns.

Renting a sunbed here costs a super-affordable 10 – 15 BGN (around £4 – £6) per person per day.

Because your money goes incredibly far here, you can tuck into fresh seafood platters, sip cocktails on plush daybeds and grab those Instagram pictures guilt-free.

We found a deal for a week-long all-inclusive stay in a five-star hotel in Sveti Vlas for £57 per person per night.

*Prices correct at the time of publication