After spending years as an assistant football coach at Sylmar and San Fernando, Boo Williams arrived at Sun Valley Poly this season with a mission to turn around a program that always seemed to have talent but rarely put together many victories.
In his rookie season, Williams has Poly with a 7-1 overall record and a 5-0 mark in the East Valley League going into the final games against Verdugo Hills and Arleta.
Justice Brown has rushed for more than 1,000 yards. King Exudus has been an impact player on defense.
A Kalkan sunset is always a beautiful thing – the horseshoe-shaped bay deepening to azure blue against an apricot-rose sky – but, in October, when the light is low and the sun drops early, it’s almost transcendentally lovely. In some Turkish resorts, you’d be sitting watching it surrounded by quiet streets, half-empty bars and that melancholic sense that another season is over. In Kalkan, it still feels like summer; the harbourfront restaurants throng with visitors, the day gulets (wooden boats) still putter in and out of the bay and you don’t have to wait an hour to get a taxi back to your villa.
For me, the best thing about an autumn break – besides the sunsets – is that I can visit some of my favourite places that just get overrun in summer. The glittering beach at Kaputas, sandwiched into a triangular gap on the mountainous Kalkan-Kas road, has become a victim of Instagram; from May to September, it’s impossible to get near. In October, the waters are still warm and the beach – although still busy – has plenty of space for a dip and a laze.
About 20 minutes’ drive inland, the mountain village of Bezirgan, which used to serve as a summer retreat for wealthier Kalkan residents, settles back into complete peace in autumn, save for the woodpeckers battering away at the bark of the almond trees and the squirrels skittering through the leaves. The Lycian Way weaves through the village, past Ottoman-era grain stores, with the lush gardens of the Pirha Köy Sofrası restaurant a great bet for a plate of traditional manti (dumplings in yoghurt) or kofte (meatballs), before setting off for a hike (they do fantastic breakfasts too).
Back in Kalkan, it’s always cocktail hour somewhere; often on a roof terrace, with a jazz soundtrack floating out above the streets of the Old Town. This year, the Fountain Terrace Cocktail Bar has been popular, but I still love sitting in the Merkez Cafe, a Kalkan institution since the early 1990s, smack-bang in the heart of the village and a prime spot for people-watching when the evening begins.
The glittering beach at Kaputas near Kalkan. Photograph: daphnusia/Alamy
And because the season’s end is in sight, all the restaurant owners and waiters are cheerfully giddy, and the whole place swings with an end-of-term vibe. Sitting at the Blue Marlin (tucked away beneath the Pirat hotel) with a cold Efes beer and a selection of the town’s best meze, the only thing that makes me rueful is that it will be several months before I’ll be back here again.
The village of Agua Amarga, where Sexy Beast was filmed. Photograph: Juana Mari Moya/Getty Images
Along Spain’s wild Costa de Almería are a handful of exquisite little towns and villages. San José is probably the best known, put on the map by its most famous inhabitant, the late Joe Strummer, but 25 miles east is the real jewel of the Almería coast. Agua Amarga is a typical Andalucían fishing village moonlighting as a stylish low-key holiday destination, perfect for late-season sun-seekers.
Its location, on a crescent bay, makes for spectacular sunrises and sunsets over the arid headlands that bookend the 500-metre-long beach. In the narrow, whitewashed streets, a lush palm grove and splashes of pink bougainvillaea remind you that north Africa is just a short hop across the Mediterranean. In the summer, Agua Amarga’s unspoilt sands and turquoise waters attract plenty of visitors, but the vibe remains relaxed. There are a handful of restaurants and bars around the main plaza, and a few eateries on the beach, including Los Tarahis, a traditional chiringuito (beach bar) where you can enjoy dishes such as arroz negro con bogavante (black rice with lobster) with your toes in the sand. In winter, the town goes into hibernation, but in autumn the sun and sea are still warm and the bars and restaurants are still open for business.
Agua Amarga is not the place to go to party. It’s a world away from the overdeveloped costas to the west and north, but it is the perfect base to immerse yourself in nature. Hiking trails lead from the village over the cliffs to a string of isolated coves and the ruins of 18th-century forts dotted along the headlands. And if you tire of following the shimmering sea, you can strike out inland to explore the Cabo de Gata nature reserve, with its winding ramblas (dry riverbeds), prickly pears and eerie abandoned goldmines.
The sea by Agua Amarga is still warm in autumn. Photograph: Dronie_Spain/Shutterstock
This corner of Spain is famous for its movie locations, notably Sergio Leone’s spaghetti westerns and Hollywood blockbusters including Lawrence of Arabia and Conan the Barbarian. For UK cinephiles, British gangster classic Sexy Beast was filmed in Agua Amarga, and Ray Winstone’s swanky villa is available as a holiday rental (minus the boulder in the swimming pool).
The name Agua Amarga translates as “bitter water”, dating back to the 19th century and the contamination caused by mining iron ore. Those days are gone, and now Agua Amarga couldn’t be sweeter.
Cascais was once the summer retreat of Europe’s nobility. Photograph: Chunyip Wong/Getty Images
As many of Portugal’s southern resorts prepare to hibernate for winter, Cascais’s green-fingered municipal workers set to work on the town’s well-manicured flower beds, ensuring a seamless seasonal rotation. Violas, primroses and cyclamen furnish pops of purple, magenta and orange below tall palms lining a promenade punctuated with palatial homes and pockets of golden sand. Even in late autumn, the semi-tropical scene banishes the blues.
My happy place when the off-season rolls around, Cascais has enough energy and atmosphere to entertain, and is arguably at its finest after summer’s beach throngs and Lisbon day trippers (Cascais lies 20 miles west of the city, a 30- to 40-minute train ride from Cais do Sodré station) have receded.
Once the summer retreat of Europe’s nobility, Cascais is now Portugal’s year-round crowd-pleaser – and come autumn, accommodation prices are far less aristocratic. There are stately manors and spa hotels aplenty, but my pick is Casa Vela, a surprisingly spacious sidestreet bolthole. Its sauna, shrouded in tropical gardens imported by the owner and his grandfather, brings joy even on the chilliest days. And if rains do come, there are a clutch of cultural attractions in the town, including the pyramid-shaped, terracotta-hued Casa das Histórias Paula Rego, featuring works by the acclaimed Portuguese-British artist.
Still, with about 300 sunny days a year, Cascais’s main off-season pull is for those who like to be active outdoors. Blue-sky mornings see waterfront joggers pass pretty squares carpeted in black-and-white calçada portuguesa (the distinctive patterned pavement mosaics), the hulking 15th-century citadel, and a mustard-hued palace overlooking a cove. Swimming is bracing, but kayaking on the calmer waters where the Tagus River meets the Atlantic more than compensates.
Casa das Histórias Paula Rego in Cascais. Photograph: Witold Skrypczak/Alamy
Better still, hire a bicycle and trace the craggy coastline, which grows wilder as it arches north-west, with sheer cliffs appearing in the distant haze. Praia do Guincho is the star, a glorious dune-backed beach battered by winds that keep surfers of all stripes well sated.
A half-hour bus ride from Cascais, Sintra’s iconic palaces and quintas unfurl across the forest-clad mountains. Summer in the town will test your patience. But with fewer crowds in the off-season, the essence of this former elite enclave and trove of European Romantic architecture returns. Hiking the hewn stairs to the Moorish Castle in thick fog is magical, while the vibrant burgundy-and-yellow facade of the fairytale National Palace of Pena brightens the greyest of days.
As the nights start to draw in, you can chase the dwindling sunlight by heading to windswept Cabo da Roca at Portugal’s far western tip. Not only are the sunsets here spectacular, for much of autumn and winter they are the latest in mainland Europe – a sweetener for the shorter days.
Senigallia and its Velvet Beach. Photograph: Michal Szymel/Alamy
Velvet Beach (Spiaggia di Velluto) is the alluring name for the miles of fine sand that fringe the town of Senigallia, in Italy’s Marche region. But from May to September, that golden loveliness all but disappears under the umbrellas and sunbeds of beach clubs.
Italians love the place, some returning every summer for decades, but in high season it is probably best left to them. However, Senigallia has an allure beyond the beach that can be enjoyed year-round – and autumn is particularly rewarding.
It’s known in Italy as the “five-star town” for the number of Michelin stars its top two restaurants hold between them. At Uliassi (three stars) and Madonnina del Pescatore (two), ambitious locally born chefs have kept one another on their toes for decades, and their fame has encouraged other restaurateurs to up their game.
If Uliassi’s famous €280 tasting menu is beyond your budget, Senigallia has plenty of innovative, quality places that are more affordable. It’s hard to eat badly here, but fish fans will relish the exquisitely prepared raw stuff at Cuocodi Bordo (two courses from €34) on the seafront. The more rustic Rimante (two courses from €27), in the cobbled centre, offers super-friendly service, great pasta and a roast goose speciality. For pizza nights, nearby O’sarracin has superlative margheritas (€8.50) and tasty ragù-filled arancini to start.
Senigallia is renowned for seafood restaurants such as the Michelin-starred Madonnina del Pescatore. Photograph: Brambilla Serrani
Pizza al formaggio, by contrast, isn’t pizza at all, but a sort of savoury panettone, flavoured with parmesan and pecorino cheese, maybe with chunks oozing out of a warm slice. It’s usually an Easter treat, but bakery Pandefrà makes it from October until May. Autumn in Senigallia also brings amazing fresh produce (chestnuts, persimmons, grapes and pomegranates; pumpkins, greens and radicchio) to chefs and market stalls.
And, of course, it brings the olive harvest, with new oil to taste in local delis and at the Festa dell’Olio Nuovo (6-10 November) in Scapezzano, three miles inland, reached by a pleasant hour’s walk up the quiet Strada di Fontenuovo (there’s a bus back).
With so much eating, you do need to work up an appetite. Hiking the Heron Trail along the Misa River will help, and offers downy oaks in their autumn finery, but the best walk for me starts at the splendid Rotonda a Mare gallery on its 1930s pier, heads inland on quiet lanes to Gabriella and Montignano villages, then descends to the coast for a sunset stroll back along that – now peaceful – Velvet Beach.
Saint-Jean-de-Luz holds on to the warmth of summer a little longer than the rest of France’s west coast. Photograph: Mehdi33300/Alamy
Tucked away in the corner of France just before the Basque coast runs into Spain, Saint-Jean-de-Luz hangs on to the warmth of summer a little longer than the rest of the west coast. Its enticing crescent beach is sheltered by two headlands and so, as the Atlantic crashes against the rest of the coast, you can dig your toes into the golden sand as the sea gently laps the shore and truly feel as if you’ve escaped the world.
The town makes for a great introduction to the French Basque Country, with its traditional red or green timber-framed architecture, adorned in many cases with strings of the local espelette chilli pepper – its gentle heat infuses many of the local dishes. Pick up a pot at the local market hall, which is a good place to find other hero products of the local cuisine, such as Ossau-Iraty cheese and black cherry jam.
Elsewhere, the patisserie Maison Adam is the place to find the local almond macaron called the pare gabea (it means incomparable in Basque), which was first made in 1660 to celebrate the marriage of King Louis XIV and Marie-Thérèse of Spain. Their nuptials took place just round the corner at the Saint-Jean-de-Baptiste church – half-built at the time – which has an extraordinarily detailed gilt altarpiece that was installed in 1669, as well as a three-tiered gallery for the congregation. Meanwhile, a votive ship hanging from the ceiling is a nod to the town’s close relationship to the sea, with small fishing boats departing the neat harbour to fish for hake, a local speciality.
You can venture out on to the seas too, with a boat trip on the small cruiser Nivelle V (€20), which goes along the coast towards Spain, first passing the 17th-century cylindrical fort at Socoa and its sea wall that juts across the bay. As you cruise past the Flysch cliffs, which look like layers of diagonally stacked cardboard, you might spot a few silver flying fish jumping out of the steely blue Atlantic.
The neighbouring village of Ciboure. Photograph: Andia/Alamy
On arrival back at port, take the short walk across the bridge that spans the River Nivelle to the neighbouring village of Ciboure. It’s a warren of red and green Basque townhouses that overlook narrow streets winding up the hill. Between them sits the restaurant Chez Mattin (mains from €28), a local institution, where chef Michel Niquet serves his signature dish, ttorro, a fish stew that was invented by his grandfather.
FORGET Santa in Lapland or skiing in France – when winter rolls around you’ll find me sunning myself abroad, trying to find some last-minute warmth to break up the UK’s long, grey months.
Having visited 58 countries as the Deputy Travel Editor, I’ve found some fantastic places that tick all the boxes of a winter sun break, without costing a fortune.
I’ve been to 58 countries – and I always ditch the chilly UK for somewhere hot in winterYou can find some great bargains and get some sun at the same time – if you know where to lookCredit: Alamy
By that, I mean warm weather, direct flights (keeping them under seven hours, for any long-haul flight haters) and some very big bargains when it comes to hotels and beers.
So here are my favourite winter sun spots, some of which aren’t that far – and with hotels from £35 a night.
Marrakech
One of my favourite spots for winter sun that doesn’t break the bank is Morocco.
I’ve explored the Hassan II Mosque of Casablanca, and visited the beaches of Agadir.
But I think the best bargain is found in Marrakech.
Not only is it perfect for some pre-Christmas shopping – I found fantastic dupes of expensive branded candles and curtains in the souks – but you can still get temperatures just above 20C in winter.
Food is cheap too, as you’ll pay just a few pounds for a freshly-made tagine meal.
For an affordable hotel stay, skip the big name chains and go for a local riad – small traditional Moroccan hotels – which you can find for as little as £35 on websites such as Booking.com and Airbnb.
These are usually fantastic locations, and usually with some free mint tea or breakfast thrown in.
Flights are cheap too – Ryanair fly there from £14.99.
We found a deal for a seven-night stay at Aqua Mirage Club from November 26, with return flights from Manchester, for £379pp on Loveholidays.com.
Riads are a great place to stay in Marrakech on a budgetCredit: AlamyYou can pick up some fantastic bargains in the souksCredit: Alamy
Cape Verde
African island, no jet lag and flights under seven hours – enter Cape Verde.
While lots of people head to the island of Sal, I much prefer Boa Vista.
Most of the TUI hotels are right on the beach, with swim-up bars and waterparks.
But leaving the resort is worth it too.
I found white sand beaches like Santa Monica with barely anyone on them, making me feel like I was on a Maldives private island instead.
My favourite was Praia Carlota, where you can lose the days in the hippy Morabeza beach hut with fried fish and local Strela beer.
Sand-boarding, kite-surfing, boat trips; visit in February and you can go whale-watching during humpback mating season too.
We found a deal for a seven-night stay at Hotel Pontao from November 30, with return flights from London Gatwick, for £430pp at On The Beach.
Boa Vista is a quieter alternative to the island of SalCredit: AlamyOr just stay at the hotel’s swim up bars…Credit: PR SUPPLIED
El Gouna
When it comes to Egypt, one of my favourite destinations for winter sun is El Gouna.
Flights there are around 5hr30 which go to Hurghada, with a short transfer.
The gated community means it is extremely safe as only people staying at the hotels can enter, and its still around 25C in December.
Hop on a boat to explore the man-made lagoons, or go on Sunset Desert Safaris, with hiking and stargazing with El Gouna Mountain Goats.
If you don’t mind going further afield, you can even book day trips to Luxor (just expect a very early start).
When it comes to choosing a place to stay, I highly recommend Cook’s Club.
The four-star resort has it all – fantastic restaurant, lagoon-front pool, live DJs, and rooms are super chic.
And seven night stays are as little as £509 each with your flights and breakfast with loveholidays.
We found a deal for a seven-night stay at Doubletree By Hilton Mangroovy El Gouna Resort from December 9, with return flights from London Gatwick, for £379pp at Loveholidays.
El Gouna is built on a man made lagoonCredit: AlamyCook’s Club is affordable and stylish (and has a pool right on the water)Credit: Supplied
Tenerife
If you’re keen not to go much further than Spain for your winter holiday, your best bet is to head to Tenerife which is often considered the warmest of the island (due to its location off the African coastline).
Temperatures are around 22C – not hot but warmer than the UK highs of 9C.
Holidays are a bargain – loveholidays has December seven-night stays for under £200 – but I highly recommend The Ritz-Carlton Tenerife.
The dusty pink building looks like something from a fairytale, complete with beautiful suites and a hidden beach you can get to by funicular.
Seven night holidays here can be found for £797pp with flights and breakfast thrown in.
If you can drag yourself away from the hotel, there are some fantastic outdoor adventures on the island such as whale watching and hiking.
Otherwise get ready for a night out on the town of Playa de las Américas, where you will find the best bars and restaurants.
Try Spain’s cheap chain 100 Montaditos, called the Wetherspoons of Spain where sandwiches are €1 (80p) and beers are €1.50 (£1.29).
We found a deal for a six-night stay at BLUESEA Interpalace from November 15, with return flights from London Stansted, from £349pp atLastminute.com.
The Ritz-Carlton Tenerife is a huge pink hotel that is worth the splurgeCredit: AlamyIt even has a hidden beach for guests to get to by funicularCredit: Alamy
The United Arab Emirates is currently on the safe to travel list, with Emirates still offering daily flights from the UK.
First, the hotels – I was blown away by the Premier Inns here, which are just as cheap as the UK at around £30, but some come with rooftop swimming pools. Yes, really.
Beach clubs can also be done on a budget.
Some, like DRIFT, can cost a little as £30 midweek, which can be used against your food and drink (with Ladies Days costing just £20 instead) while others like Lucky Fish are currently free to visit Monday to Thursday.
And lunch deals let you visit some of the famous restaurants without the price, like Ce La Vie offering a three-course meal for £28 rather than their dinner menu which has £30 dishes alone.
But my favourite place to go was the Grand Souk, where you’ll find breads stuffed with cheese or Nutella for £1.22, or Iranian falooda — a sorbet-like dessert made of thin rice noodles and syrup — for £1.
Return flights from the UK can currently be found for around £500.
We found a deal for a six-night stay at Ibis Styles Dubai Jumeira from November 11, with return flights from London Gatwick, from £867pp with TUI.
Dubai isn’t all expensive skyscrapers and barsCredit: AlamyEven Premier Inn hotels in Dubai have rooftop poolsCredit: Premier Inn
Doha
Similar to Dubai yet often overlooked, Doha makes for a great winter sun destination without too long of a flight.
Flights from the UK are with Qatar Airways – often being named one of the world’s best airlines – and take around 6hr40 (and around £530 return).
It is a great ‘luxury on a budget’ for some royalty without the riyal.
My favourite hotel to go for is The Ned; while not ‘cheap’ it is much cheaper than the one in the UK and feels much fancier than it costs.
As little as £102 a night (compared to London’s £330), it’s retro glamour with gorgeous interiors and an outdoor swimming pool.
If you just want a base, there are also Premier Inn hotels for around £28 a night.
Taxies are cheap, it feels very safe as a woman travelling around and one of the best attractions is affordable – go to the National Museum of Qatar (currently around £5 entry).
Otherwise head straight to the beach clubs – for example, Doha Beach Club is around £12 each (or ladies visit on Tuesday for free). What more could you want?
We found a deal for a seven-night stay at Steigenberger Hotel Doha from January 17, with return flights from London Stansted, from £705pp with On The Beach.
The Ned is luxury on a budget but much cheaper than the London hotelCredit: JOE CHUA AGDEPPAYou can also find cheap beach clubs in Doha tooCredit: Alamy
Last October, while I was cycling around south-west France, near the Spanish border, a tip from a local waiter led me to Collioure, near Perpignan. The town was like a Mediterranean dream, where the summer crowds had faded, leaving behind a peaceful, artistic haven of soft light, warm sunshine, cobbled streets, sandy beaches – and the Pyrenees as a backdrop. In the early evening, the still balmy autumn air was perfect for wandering through the quiet, pastel-coloured alleyways of the Le Mouré district to enjoy €5 off-season happy hour wine with fish tapas. I had planned to stay a weekend but ended up staying a week, seduced by Collioure’s perfect autumn cocktail of chilled Catalan culture and sunkissed seaside sensuality.
April
Peaceful Portuguese sunsets
Tagus River in Lisbon. Photograph: Mauricio Abreu/Alamy
Sitting outside in T-shirt and shorts on the deck of a boat gliding along the Tagus River in Lisbon, sipping a glass of crisp Portuguese wine as the setting autumn sun illuminated the pastel-coloured hills, is a lasting travel memory for me. October temperatures were still in the mid-20s, perfect for exploring fascinating areas on foot, or hanging out of trams as they rattled up and down the cobbled streets. In the evenings, I joined local people basking in the remaining warmth of the year at outdoor cafes or waterside tavernas like Ponto Final, enjoying coffee and pastries, or anchovies and beer, while watching magnificent sunsets without the summer masses.
Nicoletta
Wild times in St Davids, Pembrokeshire
Whitesands bay, near St Davids. Photograph: Drew Buckley/Alamy
My autumn escape is St Davids on the Pembrokeshire coast. Once the summer crowds disappear, it feels wonderfully wild and tranquil. We walk the coast path towards Whitesands, stopping to watch for seals below the cliffs, before heading back into tiny St Davids for something warm to eat. The beaches are often almost empty and, even when the weather turns, the dramatic sea and windswept coastline are part of the charm. My tip is to visit in early autumn; pack proper walking boots and layers, and embrace the weather – you get one of Britain’s loveliest coastlines almost to yourself.
Tess
Baroque beauty in eastern Germany
Rakotzbrücke (Devil’s Bridge) in Kromlau park, Gablenz, in Saxony. Photograph: Andrew Mayovskyy/Alamy
Görlitz makes for a fascinating autumnal base, with its location on the German-Polish border to the east of Dresden. The highlights were day excursions to Bad Muskau, where there is a wonderful baroque palace, and the Rakotzbrücke (Devil’s Bridge), reached by a narrow gauge forest railway (waldeisenbahn.de). It’s a part of Germany rarely visited, but those who go there will be rewarded with amazing photographs.
Martin
Bliss on a lesser-visited Canary island
Charco Azul swimming hole on El Hierro. Photograph: Henner Damke/Alamy
The Canary Islands are well-trodden choices for autumn sun, but the island of El Hierro remains a wilder alternative to Tenerife or Lanzarote. The scenery is beautiful and bizarrely varied: from pine forests to black volcanic lava flows – most of which you’ll have to yourself. You can pass hours exploring the rugged coastlines, where volcanic swimming holes such as Charco Azul can be found. We spent a blissful few hours there, relaxing on the rocks and looking out at the Atlantic. There are no big resorts but plenty of guest houses and smaller hotels, and sunshine is almost guaranteed into November.
Leo Mark
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Dramatic Devon walks
Endless sand … at Woolacombe beach, north Devon. Photograph: James Cassap/Getty Images
We stayed in Woolacombe, north Devon, with our three-year-old in October 2023 and the off-season suited us well. The three-mile beach gave us room for proper sandcastle engineering, and the Atlantic offered drama rather than deckchair weather. We watched the sunset turn the sea orange and purple from the hill above the bay. We could walk into the village, then use Woolacombe as a base for Mortehoe and the South West Coast Path. Pack waterproofs as well as sunglasses: north Devon makes no promises. But on a bright autumn day, those enormous sands feel almost privately hired.
Funchal on Madeira is my pick for an autumn escape because it still feels properly alive after summer. The seafront is made for slow walks in the sunshine, with cafes and gardens open year-round. You can browse the colourful Mercado dos Lavradores, ride the cable car for views over the terracotta rooftops and Atlantic, then cool off at one of the city’s lidos. The weather is pleasantly warm rather than overpowering, while the mountains and levada (aqueduct) walks are within easy reach. It combines coast, culture and dramatic scenery without feeling like a resort that closes down for winter.
Bernice
Clifftops and crab rolls in the Scottish Borders
Rugged charm … St Abbs. Photograph: Jason Baxter/Alamy
If you’re looking for a cracking wee coastal escape, head straight to St Abbs in the Scottish Borders. My wife and I absolutely fell in love with its rugged charm and bonny views. First off, Marvel fans will know it as New Asgard from Avengers: Endgame, and taking a selfie by the official sign set the right tone. Beyond the film fame, the dramatic clifftop walk up to St Abb’s Head is brilliant, packed with seabirds and proper fresh sea air. Afterwards, grab a fresh crab roll down at the harbour cafe – nae hassle, just proper good cheer.
Craig
Nonstop sun in a Cretan haven
‘A year-round magic place’ … Palaiochora on Crete. Photograph: Witold Skrypczak/Alamy
Autumn came brutal and early to Crete this month. But the ferocious northerly that drenched the northern coast got stuck on the White Mountains. And on just one tiny south-west speck of the island, the sun shone all and every day. Palaiochora is a year-round magic place anyway. No big hotels. Still proudly Greek. A place where the town’s rhythms are set by the comings and goings of the Loutro ferry. But this past week, while thunder stalked the mountains, we swam and walked every day. “We’re unique,” said the man at the cafe. “Please don’t tell anyone.” What have I done?
Kay Jones
Winning tip: Fiestas and feasts in Zaragoza, Spain
Making a floral tribute to the Virgin Mary is a key part of the Fiestas del Pilar, held in October in Zaragoza. Photograph: Visual and Written/Alamy
For an autumn city break, Zaragoza comes alive during the Fiestas del Pilar in October. We spent a week there, wandering bustling streets lined with people, many in traditional dress, queueing to lay flowers at the vast floral tribute to the Virgin Mary in Plaza del Pilar. Along the river, food stalls served Aragonese specialities, from chistorra (sausage) and stews to roast chestnuts and sweet wine. Between festivities, we explored the stunning Aljafería Palace and discovered tiny tapas bars tucked down side streets. The city felt wonderfully local, lively and full of surprises.
BRITS will get more choice of where to go on holiday next year as TUI has announced eight new routes.
These will take-off from London Gatwick to destinations from sunny Spanish cities to North African islands.
TUI is adding eight new routes from London Gatwick for summer 2027Credit: AlamyOne of these routes is to the popular winter sun city of SevilleCredit: arcady_31
For summer 2027, TUI is adding eight new routes which will contribute to its 17 million seats and 84,000 flights planned for next year.
There will be three new routes to Spain, one of which will be to Seville which is popular for winter sun thanks to its year-round sunshine.
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Even in the winter, Seville can experience highs of 18C.
The city has plenty to see like Royal Alcázar of Seville, Seville Cathedral and Plaza de España which is a cobbled square with four bridges over its small river.
In Greece, one of the new routes is to the Greek city of AthensCredit: Getty
He added: “I climbed Mars Hill to catch the sunset over the city — an experience that’s usually a shoulder-to-shoulder fight in July, but in winter felt like my own private viewing platform.
Another of TUI’s new routes is to Mytilene (Lesvos) which is on the Greek island of Lesbos.
In the city, visitors can explore Mytilene Castle, stroll around Ermou Street Market and enjoy seafood at the tavernas along the waterfront.
It even has its own Statue of Liberty in the harbour.
One of the three Spanish routes is to ValenciaCredit: GettyThe island of Lesvos has bright blue Mediterranean watersCredit: Getty
TUI will also fly to Palermo, the capital of the Italian island of Sicily.
It sits on the northern coast of the country with both sandy and rocky beaches like Mondello Beach and Addaura.
One free attraction is San Domenico Square which is the entrance to La Vucciria a market selling things like food, jewellery and souvenirs.
TUI is also offering a direct route to Tangier in Morocco which sits along the Strait of Gibraltar.
The city itself has plenty to see including its medina, busy souks, and landmarks like the Kasbah and the Caves of Hercules.
The city itself has a blend of cultures; African, French and Spanish.
It has a vibrant café culture thanks to its French influence, tapas culture from Spain.
In the summertime, Tangier sits at around 30C so it’s warm, but still mild enough to explore.
Tangier in Morocco boasts souks and the Cave of HerculesCredit: DoraDaltonDjerba is off the coast of Tunisia and is hot all year-roundCredit: BTWImages
Another route is to Djerba, a large island off Tunisia’s southeastern coast.
It has sandy beaches and for any Star Wars fans, it was the filming location for Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope – and there are regular tours too.
Head of Sun Travel, Lisa Minot, visited Djerba last year, she said: “Relatively undiscovered by us Brits, Djerba is a great-value option for those looking to explore beyond the Med favourites.
“Sizzling in summer, temperatures remain high all the way through to November and rarely dip below the 20Cs, even in the depths of winter, making it ideal for out-of-season sunshine.”
“THIS can’t be it, can it?” I thought as I gazed up and down the road.
Instead of the ornate Athens streets I’d become used to, here were rundown second-hand electrical shops, smashed windows and crude graffiti.
The iconic Athens skyline is a sight to beholdCredit: GettyThe bustling cafes in the Plaka quarterCredit: Getty
I checked my phone map.
Sure enough, tucked beneath a battered cellar door, flush in the pavement, was the entrance to Diporto, one of the city’s best-kept culinary secrets.
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Friends had tipped me off about this basement taverna in the Omonia district, serving real-deal Greek soul food and wine and, despite its dodgy entrance, it delivered in spades.
When most people think of Greek food, light salad dishes and dips spring to mind.
Out go the chilled dips, replaced by steaming pots of revithia (rich chickpea stew simmered with olive oil and lemon), piping-hot tomato and potato soups, grilled fish straight off the coals, and thick slabs of crusty sourdough.
Sitting next to massive vintage wine barrels, sipping house red from a metal jug, I was in food heaven.
Family-run bakery Feyrouz was another amazing spot secreted away down an alleyway, the heady scent of cumin, za’atar and toasted pine nuts wafting into the street.
The Sun’s Ryan Gray at the must-see AcropolisCredit: SuppliedThe tasty food at DiportoCredit: Alamy
Its signature street food includes lahmacun, a crispy spiced flatbread and peynirli, sourdough pasties stuffed with halloumi and spices.
It’s no wonder Time Out crowned Athens the most underrated winter city break in Europe.
With temperatures back in the UK plummeting, I was grateful for the relative warmth of 15C during my January trip.
Winter had clearly chased the tourists away.
Gone were the packed market streets and endless crowds.
I was free to roam around the Acropolis unfettered by the masses that gather in the summer heat and able to really appreciate just how awesome a spot it truly is.
The columns of the Parthenon rise almost 50ft while the view from the hill it stands on is spectacular.
Without the summer heat haze, the crisp sunshine reveals Mount Lycabettus towering next to it and the Aegean Sea visible behind the urban sprawl that lies at its base.
The dining room at DiportoCredit: SuppliedThe surprise door to top eatery DiportoCredit: Alamy
Thousands of years on, this ancient wonder hasn’t lost its magic.
Such remains are commonplace throughout Athens, with Hadrian’s Library, the Ancient Agora and the Temple of Olympian Zeus just some of the amazing ancient spots you find yourself wandering around, just a stone’s throw from the city centre.
Even in January, cafe culture is alive and kicking.
Wrapped in fleece blankets, locals huddle under outdoor patio heaters, sipping hot rakomelo (honeyed spiced brandy) in the historic Plaka quarter.
I climbed Mars Hill to catch the sunset over the city — an experience that’s usually a shoulder-to-shoulder fight in July, but in winter felt like my own private viewing platform.
What’s more, hotels are far cheaper in the winter, the lack of demand stretching your money much further than in the busier months.
This gave me the opportunity to try out a hotel chain I’d never used before and I was once again pleasantly surprised.
Bob W, which stands for “best of both worlds”, markets itself as somewhere between a local homestay and a lifestyle hotel.
They team up with nearby restaurants and cafes to bring locally produced food to your door in the morning for breakfast, while partnerships with local gyms mean guests have access included in the price of their stay, as well as the chance to join in with yoga classes and other sessions.
For just £40 a night at Bob W Akadimia, I had a sizeable design-conscious modern apartment, complete with a comfy double bed, living room area, huge bathroom with rainfall shower and a kitchenette.
It’s very tech forward — with check-in and even access to your room done via mobile phone — and all apartments feature high-speed wifi and smart TVs.
I would definitely recommend spending a night or two with Bob, much as I would visiting Athens for a little winter break.
Its combination of hearty winter stews, incredible archaeology, warmer weather and quiet, tourist-free streets means you can have a wonderful time getting to know the city properly before the summer rush transforms it into almost a different place.
GO: ATHENS
GETTING THERE: Fly direct to Athens in winter with easyJet from Gatwick and Manchester with returns from £79.
TORN on where to go on holiday next year? You’re in luck – the cool new places have been revealed.
Skyscanner’s Travel Trends 2027 report has looked at which destinations are seeing the biggest year-on-year searches.
This means these are the destinations which are seeing a boom in interest in demand, and much higher than the year before.
Skyscanner boss Bryan Batista said: “Travel is entering a new era.
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“As people become more intentional about how they spend their time and money, they’re making different choices about where they go, how they book and what creates lasting value.”
So here are the top 10 destinations set to be the next big thing for Brits next year.
Yet the beach city of Da Nang has seen searches increase by 68 per cent according to Skyscanner (just after it was named a top 2027 holiday destination by Lonely Planet too).
There’s white sand beaches, but it is also, bizarrely, famous for its two beaches – Golden Beach, which is held between two huge stone hands, or Dragon Bridge which is shaped like the creature itself.
To get there, it is best to fly via places like Singapore or Bangkok, or a short domestic flight from other cities in Vietnam.
8. Sal, Cape Verde
Cape Verde’s Sal is great for no jet lag but hot wintersCredit: Alamy
Cape Verde remains a popular winter sun destination for Brits.
And a 67 per cent increase in searches to Sal means it is getting even more popular.
Hot weather all year round, no jet lag and short direct flights – all you’d need from a warm break from the UK
Flights to the African island are direct, with tour operators like TUI offering affordable package holidays.
9. Kittilä, Finland
Lapland is the best in Christmas, so try KittilaCredit: Alamy
If you want the ideal Christmas break, where better than Lapaland?
With searches up 65 per cent, Kittilä in Finland has it all husky sledding, reindeer safaris and and Northern Lights.
You an even head over to Levi for some fantastic skiing too.
EasyJet fly direct, and they start from £28.99.
10. Guatemala City, Guatemala
Volcanoes and fantastic food is all you need in Guatemala CityCredit: Alamy
The last trending destination on the list is Guatemala City which has seen searches increase 63 per cent.
It is actually the biggest capital in Central America, with everything you could want – fantastic coffee scene and historic museums.
The scenery is pretty stunning two, with a number of volcanoes being the backdrop.
Guatemala’s tourism minister suggested earlier this year that more flights from Europe could connect to the city – but until then, you’ll have to fly via Madrid with Iberia.
Coco Gauff says she suffered racial abuse on social media following an incident in her win over 16-year-old Sun Xinran at the China Open.
The American had been serving at 4-5 in the first set her Chinese opponent thought she had hit a winner.
However, Gauff raised her hand to halt play because of a flickering light in the side panels surrounding the court.
Gauff won the next three points to hold for 5-5 before she closed out the set, and then dropped just one game in the remainder of the contest as she claimed a 7-5 6-1 victory to reach the last 16 in Beijing.
The world number four gave a lengthy explanation of why she stopped the point in a post on X and said it was “an unfortunate situation” but “out of my control”, adding that Sun had understood and accepted her apology.
Gauff then responded to a reply to her original post which included racist language.
“You can dislike me or disagree about what happened without being racist,” Gauff wrote.
“The amount of racist comments/direct messages I’ve received in the last few hours is insane. Lastly, I’m not a cheater or a thief.”
Gauff is far from the first player in the women’s game to suffer social media abuse.
A report in July said female players were subjected to more than 12,000 abusive posts and messages on social media in 2025.
The WTA and World Tennis said “collective action” was required to make “significant progress” in tackling abuse.
THE docile dugong munches on the swaying grasses covering the seabed, kicking up billows of sand as it lazily grazes.
Just a few feet above, I’m snorkelling in the warm waters of the Red Sea and fascinated by this gentle giant, also known as a sea cow.
The stylish Jaz Elite AmaraCredit: SuppliedA dugong, aka a sea cow, eating in the Red SeaCredit: Supplied
But it isn’t long before my attention is diverted by a magnificent green turtle gliding effortlessly to the surface for air.
And then there are the reefs, where shoals of vibrant fish dart between the thickly-carpeted colourful corals mere feet below me.
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Best of all, this stunning marine life is just steps from my hotel, the beachfront 5H Jaz Elite Amara in the Egyptian resort of Marsa Alam.
This hot new winter-sun destination for tour giant Tui offers the chance to swim in the Marsa Mubarak reef in the bay right by the hotel, with a long pier bringing you to within metres of the natural wonders.
Further south than Hurghada on the Red Sea coast, direct flights to Marsa Alam this winter mean less time travelling and more time relaxing.
And I can’t think of somewhere more suited to that than the all-inclusive Jaz Elite Amara.
This sprawling resort features four huge pools fringed by loungers and over-water sunbeds as well as the largest outdoor whirlpool in Egypt.
And that’s before you get to the vast swathe of sand looking out on to the Marsa Mubarak reef, complete with a relaxed beach bar.
A turtle in the sea off Marsa AlamCredit: SuppliedA spacious room at the Jaz Elite AmaraCredit: Supplied
The 272 spacious rooms are set in six two-storey blocks around the pools amidst swaying palms and manicured gardens.
My second-floor room was cool (nice, quiet air con), calm and very comfortable, with two queen beds, a sofa and bathroom with twin sinks and huge rainfall shower.
The roomy terrace was perfect for relaxing, day or night.
You can upgrade to a sea view but I was perfectly happy with my room overlooking the pools. And you can also splash out a little extra on swim-up pool rooms.
Kids are well catered for with their own club space as well as dedicated pools, ideal for allowing Mum and Dad a chance to enjoy the gym and spa, with its sauna, steam room and range of treatments.
But the natural wonders of this environment are not to be missed.
The resort’s 5H PADI dive centre offers the chance to learn to scuba dive in gloriously warm waters with so much to see.
And while the desert landscape is stark, jumping onto a quad bike to roar through the wilderness is another thrilling way to explore.
Lisa on a quad bike on safariCredit: SuppliedLisa in a hot air balloon over LuxorCredit: Supplied
The landscape — and the driving — are surprisingly varied.
One minute we’re whizzing along flat, sun-baked plains, the next we are bouncing over rocky tracks along dry river beds.
It’s full throttle through narrow paths surrounded by towering sandstone cliffs, then we’re kicking up plumes of golden dust as we bank around dunes.
Do as we did and book a late-afternoon safari for the piece de resistance, though.
After an hour weaving our way through the desert, nothing could prepare me for the view as we crested a hill and looked down upon the glistening Red Sea as the sun began to set.
With the desert falling into the water, we paused to watch as the sky turned brilliant orange.
Making our way back to the Bedouin camp where we’d started as dusk fell, there were more treats to come with a generous buffet of lamb, chicken, vegetables, rice and salads.
Bellies full, we took a walk away from the bright lights of the camp with a guide to look skywards.
Lisa enjoys a spot of snorkellingCredit: SuppliedTutankhamun’s mummy in a tombCredit: Supplied
Free from light pollution, we were soon spotting stars and planets aplenty in the vast desert skies.
Back at the Jaz Elite Amara, there was still time for a nightcap and a little live entertainment on the hotel lobby’s generous terrace before bed.
And refuelling was never an issue with the all-inclusive hotel offering a huge buffet for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with live cooking stations and a vast amount of choice.
Breakfast featured all your usual hot favourites — with fresh omelettes and pancakes — as well as a vast array of fresh fruit and vegetables.
Lisa at the Temple of HatshepsutCredit: Supplied
GO: MARSA ALAM
GETTING/STAYING THERE: Seven nights’ all-inclusive at the 5H Jaz Amara Elite, Marsa Alam, is from £975pp including flights from Gatwick on January 10, 20kg checked luggage and transfers.
Lunch and dinner sees more choice, with meat and fresh fish cooked to order in front of you as well as a huge choice of salads, dips and mezze delights.
Hotel guests also get one a la carte meal a week in the hotel’s Tao Tao Asian restaurant, and day and night, fresh pizzas, burgers and salads are also served at the pool snack bar and Bay View beach restaurant.
My short stay proved just the tonic after a few long winter months — and even in February, when I went, we enjoyed temperatures in the mid to high 20s every day and glorious blue skies.
Add in the ease of flying directly into Marsa Alam, just a ten-minute drive from the Jaz Elite Amara, and you get a fuss-free, luxury sunshine break.
And after all that wonderful food, I possibly returned home looking not a little unlike my dugong friend.
Lisa in the Valley of KingsCredit: Supplied
IF YOU MISS THIS TOMB THEN TUT TUT
HE lies to one side of the tomb in a simple, clear glass box. Covered in a white shroud with just his head and feet visible, is the mummy of Tutankhamun.
The boy king died more than 3,300 years ago. Yet seeing him resting so quietly in his underground tomb in the Valley of the Kings was the absolute highlight of my trip to Luxor.
While the sparkling treasures discovered by Howard Carter in the tomb are now in the new Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo, standing just inches from the king himself feels far more atmospheric.
The setting is surprisingly modest compared to the colourful, intricately decorated tombs of other pharaohs nearby – and all the more otherworldly for it.
And the best part is you can easily tick off a bucket-list wonder like this from your Red Sea beach holiday.
Staying in Marsa Alam, holidaymakers can book a tour to visit Luxor, the bustling city on the banks of the Nile, at the heart of the ancient Egyptian empire.
It’s an early start and a long drive – around four to five hours each way across the desert – but worth every single minute.
Accompanied by an expert Egyptologist, we kicked off our whistlestop tour at Karnak Temple.
The scale is astonishing – columns soar skywards and endless sphinxes stretch out before you.
From there, we clambered aboard a traditional felucca open-decked boat for a trip along – and across – the Nile to the west bank where waiting coaches ferried us to the Valley of the Kings.
You’ll have time to access three of the incredible 63 tombs that lie beneath the desert landscape.
Visiting Tutankhamun’s tomb requires a separate ticket – bought at the main visitor centre for around £11 – but coming all this way and skipping it would be a crime.
The scale of the tombs can take your breath away.
From the unique paintings of everyday ancient Egyptian life in Ramses III’s final resting place to the grand pillared hall and huge granite sarcophagus lid in the tomb of Merenptah, it’s almost too much to take in.
Emerging into the bright sunshine we made our way onwards to the equally impressive terraced Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, carved dramatically out of the cliff-face, and the mortuary temple of Ramses III, the second largest ancient temple in Egypt.
Our last gem sits unassumingly at the side of a road alongside a jumble of cafes and touristy shops.
The Colossi of Memnon are two huge, quartzite sandstone statues.
Nearly 60ft high, they depict Pharaoh Amenhotep III and once stood as guardians of the entrance to a vast mortuary temple complex and Egypt’s greatest ancient temple.
Time and man have ravaged the ancient wonder and just the two Colossi remain – standing guard in the shadow of the sun-baked cliffs of the Theban Hills.
The long journey back to Marsa Alam saw me quickly nodding off – my head full of the day’s adventures and still marvelling at the astonishing mummy at rest in his tomb.
LISA MINOT
Ancient Luxor tour from Marsa Alam with private Egyptologist guide, from £195pp, see tuimusement.com.
OUR Spotlight On column suggests what to see and do in the best holiday destinations abroad as well as lesser-known spots in the UK and abroad.
This week, we’re taking a look at the affordable winter sun destination of Hurghada in Egypt.
Hurghada is a the perfect winter sun hotspotCredit: AlamyQuick flights, cheap hotels – Hurghada beach resorts are the perfect spot from DecemberCredit: Alamy
There’s never been a better time to go – Wizz Air has launched new flights from London Gatwick to Hurghada, while easyJet has put holidays there in 2027 on sale.
It is one of the best spots for affordable winter sun too, with temperatures still over 24C in December, and holiday packages under £600pp.
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Throw in beautiful beaches, fantastic diving opportunities and five hour flights, it’s the perfect mid-haul spot.
Aside from its year-round heat, Hurghada’s selling point is the ocean that it borders.
It’s positioned right on the Red Sea which is teeming with coral reefs and colourful fish.
You can easily spend a full-day snorkeling between reefs, hopping in and out of the water – most cruises include lunch on board the boat.
Blue Water Dive Resort & Sea Trips has a great selection of day cruises from around £22.
Some of the best diving is in Egypt tooCredit: Alamy
HIDDEN GEM
While most tourists will immerse themselves in the bustling markets or choose to spend an evening at a traditional Bedouin desert camp, very few make it out to Abu Minqar Island.
It was named after its beak-like shape with “Abu Minqar” translating as “Father of the Beak”, although many colloquially refer to it as ‘The Maldives of Egypt’ thanks to its clear waters and white sands.
This dinky sandbank sits just off of the coast of Hurghada can be reached by boat on day trips. If you fancy a go at kitesurfing, this is a popular place to try it.
BEST VIEW
Head to Hurghada Marina at sunset and you’ll be bowled over by the scene of shiny yachts bobbing on the water, baked in a hazy, orange glow.
From here, you can even see across to the minarets of the El Mina mosque.
Pop into one of the many bars that line the waterfront for a sundowner or dabble in some traditional shisha.
RATED RESTAURANT
Sheraton Road in the Sakkala district is THE place to go for a lively night out and it’s littered with buzzing restaurants.
One of the best is Starfish Seafood Restaurant that serves up the freshest of fish, plucked straight from the ocean.
Guests can select their raw food – expect prawns, calamari and whole fish – from behind the counter and chefs will cook it just to your liking.
For a taste of something traditional, try the Old Town where restaurants are a little more understated and more geared up for locals.
El Haga Restaurant is known for its excellent clay pot tagines.
BEST BAR
Little Buddha Hurghada is a favourite spot among tourists – and for good reason.
Once the dinner service ends, the whole place comes alive with thumping DJ sets that keep hip swinging until the early hours.
The cocktail lounge does an excellent sangria for around a fiver.
If you’re keen to take advantage of the glorious weather, Papas Beach Club on the marina is an all-day venue offered a laidback setting with pizzas and burgers by day before transforming into a nightclub at dusk.
HOTEL PICK
The swish 5* Hurghada Marriott Beach Resort occupies a prime location right on the beachfront and has its own private island connected to the hotel via jetty.
Rooms are modern and spacious with marble-clad bathrooms, with many overlooking a huge outdoor pool and the ocean just beyond that.
Guests will have their pick of five on site restaurants, including a surf and turf joint, patio cafe serving coffee and ice cream, and an international restaurant.
It was so hot a team that averaged nearly 50,000 fans for often meaningless regular-season games beat the Atlanta Braves 5-3 in its first postseason game before thousands of empty seats — some of which were literally too hot to sit in.
It was so hot the Dodgers set up pallets of bottled water near the gates and anyone brave enough to enter the stadium was given a plastic 16-ounce Dasini bottle. Gatorade also set up a cooling tent under the right-field pavilion.
It was so hot Nicolas Gonzalez, a fan sitting in the shade of the reserved level, saw a stadium attendant, overcome by heat, stretchered before the game even started. She wasn’t the only one. By the later innings, other fans on the reserved level were reportedly seeking medical attention on the concourse.
The Dodgers declined comment.
So how hot was it?
The game started 45 minutes after the National Weather Service issued an extreme heat warning, cautioning against “extremely dangerous heat conditions” as the temperature reached 100 degrees at first pitch. By the third inning, the temperature reading atop the left-field scoreboard peaked at 103 degrees, matching the highest first-pitch temperature at 64-year-old Dodger Stadium.
“I’ve been coming to games my whole life and this is easily the hottest game I’ve ever been to,” said Gonzalez, 38, of Culver City. “Having a game in these conditions feels like we’re flying too close to the sun, both literally and figuratively.”
A fan tries to stay cool during Game 1 of the NLDS between the Dodgers and Atlanta Braves at Dodger Stadium on Saturday.
(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Around him, fans tried to cool themselves by waving makeshift fans. It didn’t work.
But the weather didn’t just effect the way the game was watched. It effected the way it was played, too. The cloudless skies made every pop-up an adventure and the warm, dense air reduced drag, allowing batted balls to travel further. As a result, the teams combined for five homers, accounting for all eight runs.
“That’s probably one of the hottest games that we’ve ever had here. And so shout out to the Dodger fans; they were amazing,” said Max Muncy, who hit of those five homers.
“My feet were hot. Really hot.”
The Dodgers wound up with an early afternoon game in the middle of a historic heat wave because MLB and the TV networks — in this case Fox and TBS — set conditional start times for the four Division Series games before the teams and matchups were known. When the San Diego Padres eliminated the Chicago Cubs in the wild-card round, Saturday’s early NL game went to the Dodgers.
Left-hander Tarik Skubal, who gave up just a run on two hits in six innings to get the win in his Dodger postseason debut, said he didn’t really notice the heat until he came out of the game.
“I walked back into the dugout, and I asked — I forget who, I think it was [Blake] Snell — I was like, ‘has it been this hot all game?’ It’s amazing what your brain can do in certain circumstances and moments,” he said.
“I actually didn’t think it was horrible when I was pitching.”
But then Skubal pitched in much hotter conditions as a kid growing up in northern Arizona.
“I played a Little League game in 127 [degrees]. Lake Havasu,” he said. “[Saturday’s] up there with as hot a baseball game that you can play in.
“Every team’s playing in it, right? They’re playing in the same conditions we are. It shouldn’t really impact how you are mentally or how it’s going to impact how you pitch. Just go out there and play baseball and try to drink water. That’s really it.”
At least Skubal got to drink his water in the relative cool of the dugout between innings. Umpire Roberto Ortiz, wearing 10 pounds of protective gear and a black-and-gray uniform, got no such relief. He had to stand behind the plate for 2 hours 44 minutes and all 290 pitches, one of which smoked him in the seventh inning.
That’s why his five fellow umpires made a point of patting him on the back or shoulder before jogging to their positions for the first pitch.
“He stayed tough,” Dodger catcher Will Smith said of Ortiz. “I’m sure he’ll rehydrate and be ready for tomorrow.”
Speaking of tomorrow, the Dodgers, Braves and the umpires will all get some relief for Game 2. At first pitch Sunday afternoon the Weather Channel is forecasting a temperature of just 97 degrees.
“The dark silver lining,” Gonzalez, the heat-weary fan said in a nod to global warming, “is this might be the coolest October of the rest of our lives.”
AUTUMN is a fantastic season for a cheap UK staycation – you just have to know where to look.
Luckily, our team of travel experts have banded together to reveal their favourite UK holiday spots for the season… and each is paired with an amazingly cheap holiday deal.
Visit the royal estate of Sandringham on a trip to NorfolkCredit: Alamy
From coastal holiday parks with plenty of Halloween action for kids, to underrated charming Cotswolds towns, we’ve selected breaks that are even better in autumn.
Here’s our pick of affordable autumn UK holidays starting from less than a tenner per person.
Heacham, Norfolk
Travel Reporter, Jenna Stevens
North-west Norfolk might just be my favourite place to visit in autumn.
The royal estate of Sandringham is home to a 600-acre country park, where you’ll stroll down paths shaded by emerald evergreen trees and fiery red cypresses.
The blue and yellow walking trails are marked by giant sculptures of woodland animals. Make sure to also stop by the giant wooden playground with the kids, all for free.
In nearby Snettisham you can hand-feed deer on a Deer Safari at Snettisham Park (£13.50 per adult, £11.50 per kid) or settle down for a local pint by the fire in 14th century pub The Rose and Crown.
In the village of Heacham you’ll find Church Farm, where you can pick your own pumpkins to take back and carve (or simply pose for some family photos with their amazing hay bale displays). Drive a bit further to Brookhill Farm in Thursford and you’ll find a giant pumpkin house.
Base yourself at Parkdean Resorts Heacham Beach for a Halloween-themed October break with loads to do for kids, including rain-proof activities like indoor fancy dress contests, slime-making and a huge ‘Monster Ball’ party.
Plus here you’re only 15 minutes’ drive from Sandringham and Snettisham, and a short walk from Norfolk’s typical golden sands for a breezy beach walk.
You can book a three night weekend break from October 15 in a Bronze caravan sleeping six for £139 total. That works out to £7.72pp per night – plus the Halloween activities will already be up and running.
Witney, Oxfordshire
Deputy Travel Editor, Kara Godfrey
Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey recommends a trip to Witney in OxfordshireCredit: Alamy
A hot chocolate, comfy walking boots and a stroll through the countryside to the pub is my idea of heaven in autumn.
And where is more beautiful that the Cotswolds? But skip the busier towns and head to Witney, often overlooked in favour of the nearby Burford and Bourton-on-the-Water.
The best coffees are found at Coffeesmiths, while a slice of cake from Hunter’s Cake Cafe is a must.
While it has a crazy amount of pubs (the Hollybush is my favourite), there is one that is worth the walk.
Then follow the river for an easy 2hr30 walk through the fields, ending at The Rose Revived Pub where you can warm up with a fantastic roast dinner.
Then hop in a taxi back to Witney and stay at The Blue Boar, a converted 16th century former coaching inn which recently underwent a huge makeover with rooms from around £64.
Salisbury, Wiltshire
Assistant Travel Editor, Sophie Swietochowski
Salisbury in Wiltshire makes for an ideal autumnal breakCredit: Getty
Autumn is, in my opinion, the most magical season for glamping. Nature is at its finest: woodlands are carpeted in crunchy golden leaves and there’s a brisk chill in the air that makes golden hour feel even more cherishable.
And there’s no better place to take advantage of all this than Liba Vineyard in Salisbury, home to just three cosy wooden cabins, sleeping up to four.
Buried in rugged countryside on a working vineyard, each bolthole comes with floor-to-ceiling windows offering spectacular views of the scenery, while bedrooms come with sky lights for night time observing.
You’ll actually feel grateful for the brisk weather here as that means you can take advantage of the wood-fired hot tubs and roaring outdoor fire pits (don’t forget to pick up some marshmallows for toasting)
While you can’t yet drink the wine from the vines grown outside your door, it’s still the perfect spot for hunkering down with a glass of red and a board game.
Cabins cost from £34.75pp (or £139 in total) per night.
North York Moors
Travel Reporter, Jenna Stevens
Visit the historic seaside town of Whitby on a trip to the North York MoorsCredit: Getty
The North York Moors National Park is best explored in the autumn, with waterfall walking trails, miles of heather moorland and quaint coastal towns that are far quieter than in the summer.
The Falling Foss walk takes you on a peaceful loop through ancient forests to reach a 30-foot waterfall, while the Mallyan Spout in Goathland is a more challenging route, but this waterfall is the tallest (70 feet).
Whitby is also a must-visit, with the spooky Whitby Abbey ruins to explore as well as plenty of Dracula history. Dip into the UK’s best fish and chip shop Trenchers for an award-winning lunch.
One of the best ways to take in the views is aboard the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, which covers 24 miles of scenery, stopping at pretty villages such as Goathland and Pickering and ending in Whitby. Day Rover tickets start from £42.70pp with one child going free per adult.
Book a cosy three-night cottage stay in Whitby for £17.94pp per night with this deal from cottages.com.
Peak District
Head of Travel, Lisa Minot
The Sun’s Head of Travel Lisa Minot recommends the Dark Tales of the Peak District tourCredit: Getty
Discover the dark side to the Peak District’s stunning countryside on a new guided walk launching this autumn that brings stories of plague, murder and highwaymen to life.
Dark Tales of the Peaks is a new experience that brings to life the tragic history of the village of Eyam – where the entire village isolated itself during a devastating plague in 1665.
Hear tales of the doomed lovers separated by the outbreak and learn about notorious highwayman Black Harry at Carlswark Cavern.
You’ll also follow ancient roads to Stoney Middleton and discover its historic Roman Bath House before enjoying a hearty meal inspired by food of the period at The Cupola Kitchen including pottage with flatbreads and Bakewell pudding.
And for a stunning stay nearby, Glenhurst in Holmesfield, Derbyshire is a five-bedroom modern country home sleeping up to ten.
The star of the show is the stunning view over the huge garden – and open countryside beyond – from the terrace that sits just outside the vast open-plan kitchen, living room and dining room.
Three nights’ self-catering this autumn is from £115pp, based on ten sharing.
Edinburgh, Scotland
Travel Reporter, Cyann Fielding
Travel Reporter Cyann Fielding recommends visiting Edinburgh – especially if you’re a Harry Potter fanCredit: Getty
Not many cities in the UK are prettier than Edinburgh in autumn and for families, it is full of exciting spots to explore.
Wannabe wizards should visit Greyfriars Kirkyard – while yes, it is a graveyard, you’ll find headstones with lots of the most famous characters’ names including Potter, McGonagall and even Tom Riddell.
Much-loved Victoria Street has Harry Potter-themed shops too, as well as colourful architecture.
For history buffs, Edinburgh Castle is definitely worth exploring and if you want a bit of exercise, head up Arthur’s Seat and take in the spectacular view.
For a gentler walk, gander long the river to Dean Village – a neighbourhood full of stone house that look as if they have been ripped from the pages of a fairytale.
It’s also worth getting lost in the National Museum of Scotland for an entire day, exploring thousands of objects across several grand galleries – for free.
Meninger Hotel Haymarket has funky family rooms with a double bed and a bunk bed, ensuite bathroom and free WiFi from £125 per night.
Anglesey, Wales
Travel Reporter, Alice Penwill
Head for a breezy beach walk in beautiful Anglesey, WalesCredit: Daniel_Kay getty hub
For crowd-free breaks filled with nature-watching and windy beach walks, I don’t think you can do better than Wales.
This year Anglesey has been named ‘unfashionable’ but ‘lovely’ by The Telegraph for the summer holidays, however I happen to think it’s pretty perfect for autumn.
My favourite beach on Anglesey is Traeth Lligwy which I discovered on a hike around the coast which is glorious in the summertime.
If you visit on the weekend, pop into the Lligwy Beach Cafe to pick up a hot chocolate to keep warm on the beach stroll and tuck into a pasty.
If you fancy a quaint village-stay, I’d suggest staying in Moelfre which is a short 20-minute drive to Beaumaris.
Don’t expect lots of entertainment or activities, but there’s a pub to to hunker down in called the Kinmel Arms, and my favourite spot is the cute little coffee shop called Ann’s Pantry.
I loved the cottage we stayed in called Bryn Awel and it sleeps up to six people.
With seven nights costing £567 (or £13.50ppn each), it’s snug with a cosy woodburner to fire up during the chillier months and views across the beach.
Being in Wales, take a rain mac and an umbrella to have on standby, because you never know when the weather will turn.
London city break
Deputy Travel Editor, Kara Godfrey
Visit London in the autumn for a budget-friendly city break with some stunning viewsCredit: Getty
I love a trip to London in autumn, as the summer crowds have gone, but it is still warm enough that you don’t need a huge coat when walking around, that becomes a pain to carry each time you step inside.
And there are so many ways to do it on a budget.
After all, it is one of the world’s best museum capitals when it comes to them being free, meaning you could visit the British Museum, the V&A and the Natural History Museum without paying a penny.
And while there are loads of good restaurant deals, my hack to trying all those viral bakeries is getting a Too Good To Go bag which, if you’re quick, means you can try some of the capital’s top snacks while spending a fraction of the price.
When it comes to how to stay cheaply, I have stayed in my fair share of absolute bargain hotels.
The ultimate budget stay is Zedwell Tottenham Court Road, where the underground rooms start from £71 (so around £35 each). But if you fancy a window, you can’t go wrong with a stay at The Drey, which has rooms under £100.
THE UK might still be getting a last burst of heat but now is the time to lock in a winter sun holiday to get through the dark nights of December.
And new research has revealed which holiday destinations are much cheaper to go to this year compared to last year – and the ones to avoid which have jumped in price.
A new study has revealed which winter sun holiday destinations are cheaper to visit this yearCredit: AlamyTenerife was the top of the list for holidays that were more expensive this yearCredit: Alamy
The study, conducted by TravelSupermarket, looked at holiday prices between December 1 and January 31, looking at seven-night breaks.
And the biggest drop in prices was Gambia in West Africa.
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The average holiday price last year was £299 each a night, while this winter it has dropped to £219 – a fall of nearly 27 per cent.
This was followed by Ras Al-Khaimah in the UAE, which fell 19.41 per cent £64 to £52.
Others that saw prices drop include Las Vegas (-13.05 per cent), Bali (-11.78 per cent), and Dominican Republic (8.82 per cent).
Chris Webber, Head of Holidays and Deals at TravelSupermarket, said: “This winter‘s package prices show that it pays to look beyond your usual destination.
“These are averages across different hotels and board bases, so individual holidays still need comparing carefully, but the picture is far more varied than winter sun simply becoming more expensive everywhere.
“There are savings further afield , with average package prices to the Dominican Republic down 8.8% and Jamaica down 6.1%.”
Gambia came out on top for the biggest price drop for winter holidays, down nearly 27%Credit: AlamyA trip to Bali is more affordable this year tooCredit: AlamyThe Algarve was one of the destinations that has jumped the most in price this winterCredit: Alamy
Sadly, it’s the destinations closer to home that have risen in price this year.
Tenerife, one of the hottest Spanish islands in winter, is up nearly 25 per cent compared to last year with average prices per person, per night going from £91 to £113.
The Algarve was close behind, with prices up from £81 to £99, a rise in 22.8 per cent.
The Bahamas (+18.67 per cent), Costa Blanca (+16.92 per cent) and Madeira and Porto Sando (+15.43 per cent) rounded up the top five.
10 holiday destinations that have DROPPED in price this winter
Gambia (-26.85%)
Ras Al-Khaimah (-19.41%)
Sousse (-18.39%)
Las Vegas (-13.05%)
Bali (-11.78%)
Dominican Republic (-8.82%)
Marrakech (-7.5%)
Jamaica (-6.08%)
Cape Verde (-6.01%)
Goa (-4.19%)
Chris added: “Average prices for Tenerife are up 10.5% year on year and Gran Canaria 8.2%, while Cape Verde is down 6% and Gambia nearly 27%.
“Neither is a new destination, but those contrasting price movements give travellers a reason to widen their search.
“Egypt also stands out because its average package price has barely moved, rising just 0.3%.
“At around £117 per person per night, it remains below the averages for Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote in our analysis.”
THE UK Government has issued a new travel warning to Brits heading to Thailand following mass flooding.
According to the Foreign Office, severe floods believed to be the worst in Bangkok in over a decade are impacting parts of Thailand caused by heavy rainfall.
Floods in Thailand are causing flights to Bangkok to be delayed or cancelledCredit: Reuters
Impacted destinations include Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani and Samut Prakan.
On the FCDO website it states: “All 50 districts of Bangkok have been declared disaster-affected areas. Travel disruption, including road closures and flooding of low-lying areas, is possible.
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“The Thai government has declared special public holidays on 28 and 29 September in Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani and Samut Prakan.
“Many government offices and services may be closed or operating with reduced capacity.
SOME hotels give you a quiet pool, a basic buffet and a slightly battered table tennis table in the corner.
Others serve up 81 water slides, life-size dinosaurs, hypercoasters, wave machines and entire fairytale kingdoms.
There are some bonkers waterparks out there which are the perfect holiday spotsCredit: On the Beach
Variety is the spice of life, after all.
These are the resorts where the accommodation isn’t just somewhere to sleep – it is the holiday.
You could venture outside, obviously, but when there’s a full-scale waterpark or theme park right outside your bedroom door, convincing the children to leave the grounds would require a serious family negotiation.
I’ve hunted down eight of the wildest, most action-packed family resorts available this autumn and winter.
We’re talking theme park stays from £353pp and all-inclusive waterpark breaks from £405pp, with prices based on a family of four.
Every deal includes return flights and access to the hotel’s headline attractions too – so here are my eight picks guaranteed to ruin basic swimming pools for your children forever.
Aqua Mirage features a massive on-site waterpark packed with free-fall tower slidesCredit: On the Beach
Aqua Mirage Club & Aqua Parc, Morocco – from £573pp
You know a resort takes entertainment seriously when its grounds cover 20 full hectares beneath the Atlas Mountains.
Aqua Mirage features a massive on-site waterpark packed with free-fall tower slides, a sprawling wave pool and an interactive splash castle for preschoolers.
Away from the water, you get six tennis courts, football pitches, evening shows and several pool areas – including a dedicated adults-only pool and spa for parents trying to remember what silence feels like.
It also gives you two holidays in one: a high-energy waterpark resort and easy access to Marrakech’s historic souks and main square.
That means you can swap the post-Christmas slump for slides, sunshine and unlimited food and drink – without having to wrestle another turkey into the oven.
My insider tip at this hotel is to take advantage of its free shuttle into central Marrakech, saving your family a fortune on taxis when you do fancy a break from the slides.
PortAventura Hotel El Paso & Theme Park, Spain – from £353pp
Theme park tickets are included with your stay when you stay at PortAventura Hotel El PasoCredit: On the Beach
First things first: this isn’t just a hotel with a couple of slides attached – it’s a property built inside one of Europe’s largest theme park resorts.
Designed like a colourful Mexican hacienda, Hotel El Paso sits right on the edge of PortAventura Park, giving you easy access to six themed worlds packed with massive rollercoasters such as Shambhala and, my personal favourite, Furius Baco.
Right next door is Ferrari Land, home to Red Force – the 112-metre-high vertical accelerator that launches riders from 0 to 112mph in five seconds flat. I’m not speaking from experience this time. No, thank you.
The best bit is that PortAventura theme park tickets are included with your stay.
I found a five-night room-only package from £353pp, flying direct from Manchester on 24 October 2026 – right in the school half-term window.
When you consider how much standard admission to the park can cost on its own, getting your hotel, flights and multi-day park entry for £353pp in the school holidays is an absolute steal.
HL Paradise Island, Lanzarote – from £405pp
Guests staying at HL Paradise Island get free entry to Dino AquaparkCredit: On the Beach
There are waterpark hotels, and then there are waterpark hotels with giant prehistoric creatures towering over the slides.
Guests staying at HL Paradise Island get free entry to Dino Aquapark, where multi-lane racing chutes and enclosed tubes twist around massive, life-size dinosaurs.
The main resort features several swimming pools, sports courts, live evening entertainment and full all-inclusive dining.
Lanzarote stays pleasantly warm right through autumn and winter, making it a brilliant option for some sunshine when the UK enters full freezer mode.
As those dates fall over the February half-term period for many families, that’s excellent value for a school-holiday escape with food, drink and waterpark entry covered.
My tip here is to book an apartment. Having a separate living space and kitchenette means parents get somewhere to relax once the children crash out after a day of chasing dinosaurs.
LIVVO Costa Taurito & Waterpark, Gran Canaria – from £495pp
Lago Oasis Waterpark is a massive saltwater park packed with kamikaze chutes, racing slides and a giant pirate-ship splash fortressCredit: On the Beach
Taurito looks like someone has built an enormous holiday resort inside a canyon beside the coast.
At the heart of it is Lago Oasis Waterpark – a massive saltwater park packed with kamikaze chutes, racing slides and a giant pirate-ship splash fortress.
Guests at LIVVO Costa Taurito get access to the park, putting all the water-slide madness just steps from their room.
Southern Gran Canaria is one of Europe’s most reliable winter-sun destinations, and the hotel offers all-inclusive dining to keep the holiday food admin nice and simple.
It’s a compact half-term hit of winter sunshine, with flights, meals, drinks and waterpark access all rolled into one price.
I also love the natural volcanic-sand beach just 200 metres from the hotel, giving you somewhere quieter to escape whenever you need a breather from the slides.
Sol Dunas Family Fun, Cape Verde – from £430pp
Sol Dunas has multiple swimming pools, water slides, splash parks, playgrounds and sports courts, forming part of the wider Melia Dunas mega-complexCredit: On the Beach
Sol Dunas is less of a standard hotel and more of a self-contained holiday town.
This sprawling resort features multiple swimming pools, water slides, splash parks, playgrounds and sports courts, forming part of the wider Melia Dunas mega-complex.
Cape Verde is the closest thing to a long-haul winter-sun holiday on this list, serving up temperatures around 25C, plenty of blue skies and broad golden beaches on the island of Sal.
Being in the autumn half-term, this deal gives families almost a full week of reliable warmth without the faff of a connecting flight.
It costs slightly more than some of the Spanish options, but a full week of reliable warmth, direct flights and comprehensive all-inclusive dining at a resort of this size still represents excellent value.
Pickalbatros Aqua Blu Sharm, Egypt – from £638pp
Aqua Park City complex in Sharm El Sheikh, is a themed resort boasts high-speed racing chutes, wave pools, raft rides and towers of twisting tubesCredit: On the Beach
Aqua Blu features enough slides to make your local UK “waterpark” look like a damp garden shed.
Part of the enormous Aqua Park City complex in Sharm El Sheikh, this brightly themed resort boasts high-speed racing chutes, wave pools, raft rides and towers of twisting tubes.
The resort is fully all-inclusive and includes access to a private beach via a quick, free shuttle.
Sharm El Sheikh delivers reliable warmth throughout the year, making it a strong choice for autumn or winter sun.
It’s the most expensive deal on this list, but you’re getting more than a week of winter sun, all your food and drink, luggage and unlimited access to an enormous waterpark during a peak family-travel period.
The real insider perk, though, is the dedicated children’s buffet, built at a lower level so little ones can grab their own meals without endless parental manoeuvring. Genius.
Pickalbatros Jungle Aqua Park Resort – Neverland, Hurghada Egypt – from £565pp
Neverland has 81 slides and VR gaming arenasCredit: On the Beach
That includes giant family raft rides, multi-lane racers, wave pools and massive themed splash fortresses spread across a complex that feels as though it was designed by a child given an unlimited construction budget.
Beyond the waterpark, Neverland packs in VR gaming arenas, ice skating, huge live productions and an enormous selection of speciality restaurants.
Despite the ridiculous scale of the property, Egypt’s competitive resort market keeps prices shockingly low.
I found a six-night all-inclusive break from £565pp, flying indirectly from Manchester on 16 February 2027, with hold luggage included.
That gives you six nights of all-inclusive dining, luggage and non-stop access to 81 slides during the February half-term period for less than £600pp.
It’s also well worth using the hotel’s internal land train, which runs constantly around the complex, so tired little legs don’t have to walk miles between the slides and your room.
KEEN to get that winter sun break locked in? Holidaymakers on a budget should set their sights on Africa.
A new report released today by the Winter Sun Holidays Costs Barometer from The Post Office Travel Money reveals that Cape Town in South Africa, and Mombasa in Kenya, offer the best value for money for people seeking a sun-drenched winter break.
Cape Town came first making it the most affordable destination on the listPortugal’s Algarve came in sixth place overallCredit: Getty
To calculate which destination gives travellers more bang for their buck, the research considered the average costs of eight essential holiday items in 24 popular long-haul and short-haul destinations.
Items included a cup of filter coffee, a bottle of beer or lager, a can or bottle of cola, a glass of wine, a 1.5l bottle of water, suncream, insect repellent and a three-course evening meal for two with house wine.
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The overall cost for all of the above came to just £58.24 in Cape Town, making it the most affordable destination on the list.
According to the Post Office, prices in the South African hotspot have fallen by 9.7 per cent in the last six months, which will have a hugely beneficial impact on tourists.
A three-course dinner with wine was shown to be cheaper here than anywhere else on the list, totalling £39.26 on average.
Despite its reputation for excellent wineries, Tokyo pipped Cape Town to the post for budget vino with a glass costing just £2.53 in Japan’s capital, on average, compared with £3.24 in Cape Town.
Tokyo came in third place overall on the affordability scale with a total barometer cost of £66.76, beaten by Mombasa, in second place, with an overall price tag of £63.66.
Prices haven’t dropped dramatically in this Kenyan city, but the rise of sterling against the Kenyan shilling does mean that you will now pay slightly less than when the country was last surveyed by the Post Office in March this year.
Coming in fourth place on the winter sun budget chart is Colombo in Sri Lanka, where a basket of all eight holiday essentials added up to £74.79, getting on for £20 more than the cheapest spot of Cape Town.
And be sure to ditch the wine and opt for beer instead, as a glass of red, white or rose will set you back £6.60 on average — over double the cost of a glass of wine in any of the previously named locations.
A bottle of beer, on the other hand, costs just £2.47.
Phuket in Thailand closely followed Colombo in fifth place with an overall barometer cost of £76.39 and cheap beer at £2.09 a bottle.
Of course, for the top five spots, the trade off for spending little while in the destination is shelling out for pricier flights to get there.
But remember that holidaymakers will be rewarded with better odds of sunshine and higher temperatures in these long-haul locations.
Those looking to stay a little closer to home still have budget-friendly options, however, including Portugal’sAlgarve which came in sixth place overall.
While the total cost of all holiday items came to a slightly steeper £82.35, coffee-drinkers won’t be complaining as this is the cheapest destination to grab yourself a cuppa (£1.27 on average).
Mombasa, in second place, with an overall price tag of £63.66Credit: Getty
The holiday location fared similarly to Spain’sCosta del Sol in seventh place and the Canary Island of Tenerife in eighth place, with overall costs of £83.58 and £87.46 respectively.
Prices for holiday items in all three short-haul destinations were on par with one another, although it was a bit pricier to eat out in Tenerife with a three-course meal for two with wine costing around £61.10.
At the opposite end of the scale, Scarborough was the priciest destination for winter sun — not the resort town on England’s North Sea, but the capital of the island of Tobago.
The Canary Island of Tenerife came in eighth place, with overall costs of £83.58 and £87.46 respectivelyCredit: Getty
Holiday item costs here rocketed to a whopping £144.15 in total — which is over double that of Cape Town.
A three-course meal here costs more than anywhere else on the list, at an eye-watering £119.26 for two people.
St. Georges in Grenada, Funchal in Madeira and Cancun in Mexico were also shown to be pricey, with total bills totting up to over £125.
Comparatively, the much-loved Sun reader resort of Orlando in the US came roughly in the middle, in 15th place overall.
Wine and beer was shown to be mean on the wallet in the Florida sunshine spot — at £6.81 and £5.30 respectively — but other items like suncream and insect repellent were more reasonable.
YOU’LL be able to travel to 34 more destinations with Jet2 from the UK soon.
The airline is launching a number of new routes for Winter 26/27, with destinations including winter sun spots, city breaks and pretty Christmas markets.
Jet2 is launching 34 new routes including winter sun spots with 25C weather in DecemberCredit: GettyOther destinations will be across Europe, such as Spain and DenmarkCredit: Alamy
It marks the airline’s biggest winter programme as well as its first winter season from London Gatwick Airport.
Destinations in Europe include La Palma in Spain, Copenhagen in Denmark and Vienna in Austria.
The Egyptian resort city sits on the Red Sea and is the ideal spot to head off scuba diving to see colourful coral reefs.
And there is sunshine year-round.
You’ll get the best of both worlds too as after exploring the water you can head to the desert, for a quad biking or camel riding experience.
Another destination getting Jet2 flights is a city that feels more like stepping into a Disney movie.
Often referred to as a fairytale city due to its winding medieval streets, Tallinn in Estonia takes just three hours to get to from the UK.
You could also head to a number of destinations with great Christmas markets – such as TallinnCredit: Mark Hannah
The old town of the city is full of interesting shops as well as grand medieval churches and walls.
For a city centre, it is very quiet as well.
And if you happen to visit in December, go the Christmas market, full of chalets selling handmade Estonian gifts as well as glögi – which is essentially Estonian mulled wine.
At the centre of the market is the world’s oldest recorded public Christmas tree as well, which dates back to 1441.
Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2, said: “We are seeing strong demand from customers and independent travel agents for all kinds of winter holidays, so we have responded by putting a fantastic selection of brand-new routes on sale for Winter 26/27.
“Whether holidaymakers want winter sun, a festive Christmas market break, a ski holiday to the Alps or a city break, this expanded programme gives them more choice and flexibility than ever before.
“The addition of 34 new winter routes, three new destinations and our first winter season from London Gatwick Airport shows how we are continuing to grow in direct response to demand.
“This is about giving customers more of what they want for winter, with an exciting mix of destinations that caters for every type of getaway.”
Flights for the new routes cost from as little as £30 per way.
And if you don’t want to wait, the airline currently has 6.3 million seats on sale to 42 destinations for this winter.
Full list of the 34 new destinations
From Birmingham Airport: Copenhagen (Denmark); Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada (Egypt)
From Bristol Airport: Cologne (Germany)
From East Midlands Airport: Agadir (Morocco); Gdansk (Poland); Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada (Egypt)
From Edinburgh Airport: Strasbourg (France)
From Glasgow Airport: Hurghada (Egypt)
From Leeds Bradford Airport: Tallinn (Estonia); Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada (Egypt)
From London Gatwick Airport: Agadir (Morocco); Funchal (Portugal); Tallinn (Estonia); Vienna (Austria); Cologne (Germany); Gdansk (Poland); Grenoble (France); Turin (Italy); Geneva (Switzerland); Salzburg (Austria); Chambery (France); Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada (Egypt)
From Manchester Airport: Strasbourg (France); Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada (Egypt)
From London Stansted Airport: La Palma (Spain); Strasbourg (France); Innsbruck (Austria); Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada (Egypt)
In fact, it’s believed that Tangier was created by the son of Hercules, with the god himself staying in one of the caves.
It has a vibrant café culture thanks to its French influence, tapas culture from Spain – and a mix of languages too.
Thanks to its position in the north of the country, it has long, sandy beaches too like Plage de Tanger and Achakkar Beach.
The second cheapest for return flights is Seville which has an average price of £151.
Seville is Spain’s fourth-largest city – and is one of the hottest during the autumn, winter season.
During October, Seville can still reach highs of 26C and even in January can see highs of 16C.
The Greek island of Rhodes has seen the biggest decrease in price for return flightsCredit: Alamy
Here’s the list of the best value destinations for travel from Oct 2026 – Feb 2027…
These are the destinations and the average economy return flight price, according to Skyscanner…
Rhodes, Greece: Average price £218 (-21% YoY)
Montego Bay, Jamaica: Average price £764 (-13% YoY)
Tangier Morocco: Average price £105 (-13% YoY)
Seville, Spain: Average price £151 (-12% YoY)
Valencia, Spain: Average price £122 (-11% YoY)
Valletta, Malta: Average price £164 (-11% YoY)
Perth, Australia: Average price £1,425 (-6% YoY)
Some of the top attractions include the Royal Alcázar of Seville, Seville Cathedral and Plaza de Espana.
Rhodes in Greece has seen the biggest drop in flight prices year-on-year – it’s down 21 per cent.
The average return flight price is £218 – but in October, we found return flights for less than £60 with Ryanair.
The island is the fourth-largest in Greece, the biggest in the Dodecanese – and it’s considered quieter and cheaper than the likes of Santorini and Mykonos.
Lindos is a popular spot for visitors, the coastal village sits on the eastern coast with a clifftop Acropolis, whitewashed alleys, and sandy beaches.
Greece has incredible summers, but also mild winters with highs of 15C in January and February.
Seville is the fourth-warmest city in Spain during the autumn, winter seasonCredit: AlamyA long-haul option with cheaper flights this year is Montego Bay in JamaicaCredit: Alamy
Further afield, long-haul journeys that have cheap return flight include Montego Bay in Jamaica which from the UK has an average price £764.
Montego Bay on north-west coast of Jamaica is the capital of the parish of Saint James and is one of the most popular tourist spots on the island.
Of course Brits flock there for its great weather and beautiful bays like Doctor’s Cave Beach which is considered one of the most beautiful in the country with white sand and bright turquoise waters.
Aside from sunbathing and paddling, snorkelling is popular too as swimmers are likely to spot parrotfish, turtles, and small sharks.
Looking on Skyscanner, October is the cheapest month for flights with returns from £364.
Laura Lindsay, Travel Trends and Destination Expert at Skyscanner gives her top tips for cutting travel costs…
Head north For those able to depart from north of the border, Edinburgh airport has some of the best deals for those looking for school holiday breaks as Scottish schools aren’t off the same weeks as England.
Is there a better price when departing a day earlier or later? Searching by multiple dates and airports will give you the best chance of a bargain. Because some dates are more popular than others, prices will vary. The ‘whole month’ search tool allows you to see cheap flights at a glance and pick the right deal for you. Consider traveling a day before or a day after your original departure dates, flying on less popular days of the week is always cheaper.
Is there a comparable trip to a different destination? You see a deal from one airline to popular location like Naples, but is there a better price when you consider somewhere less well known, like underrated Bari in Puglia instead?
Can you get a better deal travelling with a different airline?Changing up the airlines you choose to fly with can seriously cut costs. Also, fares don’t have to be booked as returns. Look at flying out with one airline and back with another to save money. You can easily compare prices on Skyscanner’s cheapest month tool.
Is there a cheaper deal from a nearby airport? Travelling to an airport a bit further from home or further from your destination can unlock better pricing and routes. A great example of this is when flying from London to New York. There are so many options and going just a little bit further from your point of origin or destination could mean a saving of hundreds of pounds. Make sure to check using the ‘Nearby Airport’ search on Skyscanner.
If you’re still not sure, make a note “Setting up price alerts will ensure you’re the first to know as prices drop with any additional discounts or added supply. You can mark a flight you’re interested in and Skyscanner will email you whenever the price goes up or down.
Embrace spontaneity by exploring ‘Everywhere’ Re-embrace your spontaneous side and let Skyscanner’s algorithm find the cheapest deal. Just type in ‘Everywhere’ with your travel dates and the site will show you all the destinations that can be reached from your departure point listed in order of price so you can choose the most cost effective one.”
BIANCA Censori’s sister Angelina soaked up the sun in a tiny string thong during a Greece getaway.
The Aussie native channeled her sister’s usually super sexy attire and stripped down into skimpy lingerie in new photos.
Bianca Censori’s sister Angelina soaked up the sun in a G-string thong in new photosCredit: Instagram/angelinacensoriAngelina shared photos of her skimpy outfit, including a bra that featured a vertical chain-link connecting the strapsCredit: Instagram/angelinacensori
Angelina, 22, took to Instagram on Thursday to share multiple pictures from her Mediterranean vacation.
Some of those pics captured the model sitting on the pavement, hugging her knees into her chest while sporting a G-string thong.
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She paired the bottoms with a black string bra with a vertical chain link connecting the straps.
Angelina kept her back facing the camera, showcasing her thin figure and bare butt as she sat on the ground.
Angelina often uses the platform to share sultry photos of herself in revealing attire.
Earlier this month, the brunette posted a series of snapshots of herself wearing a skintight white corset bodysuit.
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She also shared a pic of herself in July, flaunting her pin-thin physique in a tiny gold bikini while lounging by the pool in Madrid, Spain.
Angelina blew fans away last November when she shared several photos of herself in a heavily cut-out lace dress.
She modeled the outfit, which showed her underboob with its massive opening at her midsection, in the mirror.
The ensemble also exposed her backside and legs with its sheer fabric, which she showcased in an overhead shot of her lying on a bed.
Angelina regularly channels Bianca with her skimpy wardrobeCredit: Instagram/angelinacensoriBianca has often drawn attention to her revealing wardrobe since she married Kanye West in December 2022Credit: Getty
Bianca, 31, has often drawn attention with her revealing wardrobe after completely switching up her style when she married Kanye West, 49, in December 2022.
The Yeezy architect is usually seen sporting skintight bodysuits that display her curves, and other sexy looks.
She most recently posted several photos of herself in a gold string bikini top and skirt that barely covered her breasts or butt cheeks.
Bianca also underwent a dramatic hair transformation, swapping out her usual brown hairstyle for a platinum blonde wig.
The designer has been accused of “public indecency” numerous times over the years while repeatedly stepping out in public in barely-there attire.
Many have also blamed Kanye for pulling the strings on her fashion choices, after doing the same with his ex-wife Kim Kardashian’s style.
Angelina shut down rumors last year that her family didn’t approve of Bianca and Kanye’s marriage, telling The Herald Sunthat they supported the Donda rapper.