sun

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.

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.

“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.

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“Follow the advice of local authorities if you plan to travel.”

The flooding has caused some flights to be delayed or cancelled, including a Thai Airways London Heathrow flight to Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok.

Thai Airways is allowing passengers due to travel today and tomorrow to change their flights for free.

There are several other departures from Suvarnabhumi Airport which have been cancelled including to Phuket and Hong Kong.

While the airport does remain open, domestic departures and regional flights have been worst affected by cancellations.

Passengers at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport have also reported having to wait up to six hours for their luggage and as a result.

There was around 12 inches of rain over 48 hours resulting in cars being submerged and homes flooded leaving some residents stranded.

Some locals have said the flood waters are as high are as those in 2011 which affected 13million people.

While other parts of the country are also impacted, they have not been as badly hit as Bangkok.

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.

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 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.

I found a five-night all-inclusive break from £573pp, flying direct from Manchester on 26 December 2026.

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

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

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.

I found a five-night all-inclusive break from £405pp, flying direct from Birmingham on 13 February 2027.

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

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.

I found a four-night all-inclusive stay from £495pp, flying direct from London Luton on 14 February 2027.

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 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.

I found a six-night all-inclusive package from £588pp, flying direct from Bristol on 26 October 2026.

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 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.

I spotted an eight-night all-inclusive stay from £638pp, flying from Birmingham on 14 February 2027.

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

This resort features 81 individual water slides.

Eighty-one.

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.

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.

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.

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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’s Algarve 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).

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.

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.

Though, you can head further afield too as there are flights to two spots in Egypt – Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh – as well as a route to Agadir in Morocco.

For some winter sun with temperatures up to 24C in December, fly to Hurghada in Egypt.

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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.

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.

IF you’re looking for winter sun, but don’t want to spend a fortune on flights, check out these destinations from Spanish cities to Greek islands.

Skyscanner has found the cheapest spots to jet off to between October and February next year – some of which have return flights from £30.

Starting off with the best value destinations for autumn and winter flights, Skyscanner have found it’s Tangier.

The Moroccan city is just over two hours away from the UK – it’s quicker than heading to southern Spain and in October can see highs of 30C.

According to Skyscanner, return flights on average cost £105 – but from the UK to Tangier in November and December these can be as little as £30.

The city itself has plenty to see, from a whitewashed medina to its busy souk, and landmarks like the Kasbah and the Caves of Hercules.

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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Her hair was pulled into a tight bun as she gazed at her shadow on the concrete beside her.

“Basking,” Bianca‘s sister wrote in her caption.

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.

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.

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 Sun that they supported the Donda rapper.

FROM Art Deco architecture and superstar football to incredible Cuban sandwiches and sizzling nightlife, Miami packs a serious punch for a short stay. 

For Brits, it’s often combined with cruises from the Florida city’s port, making it the perfect start or end to a Caribbean cruise this winter.

The weather remains gorgeous throughout our colder months, with temperatures still in the mid to high 20s.

For first-timers, a stay on Miami Beach puts you right at the centre of the very best of this captivating city.

ARE THESE STREETS MADE FOR WALKING? It’s America — so no, the car remains king. But that’s not to say there aren’t walkable districts.

South Beach and Mid Beach excel with their paved Beachwalk and pedestrianised Lincoln Road is a shoppers’ paradise with all the popular brands and a host of cafes and restaurants offering al fresco dining.

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In trendy Wynwood you can easily explore on foot to take in street art, galleries, boutiques and a buzzing nightlife scene.

ANYTHING FOR THE BUCKET LIST? Learn all about the huge Cuban influence on Miami on a food and drink tour of Little Havana with Miami Culinary Tours.

Over two and a half hours, you’ll stroll the streets learning how Cuban exiles transformed the city’s flavours and culture.

Among my favourites were the Cuban sandwich stuffed with roasted pork, ham, swiss cheese and pickles at Old’s Havana Cuban Bar & Cocina, washed down with a perfect mojito and the crispy beef empanadas from El Pub.

But the tour also features stops at a traditional Cuban cigar shop and Domino Park to watch the locals play fast-paced games.

Another must is a stroll along South Beach’s Ocean Drive to admire the gorgeous Art Deco buildings — book a guided walk through getyourguide.com to bring the history to life.

And football fans won’t want to miss a match at Nu Stadium — home to Inter Miami CF, co-owned by David Beckham and famous for signing Lionel Messi.

WHERE SHOULD I EAT? Award- winning Austin chef Tyson Cole brings his very modern take on Japanese cuisine to Miami with not one but two restaurants, each offering a vast variety of unusual sushi, sashimi and nigiri paired with quirky flavours from citrus to smoke.

Uchi in Wynwood leans into the citrus while sister restaurant Uchiko is all about char and open-flame cooking. The vast menus can be a bit overwhelming but the brilliant staff will guide you and the quality is outstanding. Visit during the daily Happy Hours to enjoy it for a fraction of the price.

I FANCY A DRINK: Of course, for the in-crowd and those with deep pockets, there are plenty of stunning cocktail joints and seriously cool hotel bars on South Beach — including MILA just off Lincoln Road and the Matador Bar at the Miami Beach Edition.

But for those of us with smaller bank balances, taking advantage of happy hours is a great way to save. Sweet Liberty in Collins Park in Mid Beach has a popular happy hour from 4pm to 7pm with cocktails from £7.40 and craft beers from £4.50. Cafe La Trova in Little Havana sees waiters formally serving up Cuban daiquiris and mojitos.

Or head to Veza Sur Brewing Co. & Cerveceria La Tropical in Wynwood for an outdoor beer garden with pints from £5.20.

WHERE SHOULD I STAY? For all the benefits of South Beach without the crowds, stay at gorgeous Art Deco gem, The Palms Hotel and Spa.

Just ten minutes by car from Ocean Drive and Wynwood, the hotel’s lush gardens feature a pool and tiki bar plus plenty of loungers.

You can stroll onto the stunning white sands where even more loungers and shades await.

The hotel has a great focus on sustainability — you can pick up a bucket on the beach to help tidy up and be rewarded with a free gelato.

The light and airy rooms have an understated, tropical vibe and the ocean views are stunning.            

THE SUMMER holidays are in the rearview mirror now, so it’s likely you’re already daydreaming about next year’s getaway.

As for where to book, these spots have been revealed as the trending destinations for 2027 including one place in Europe with tropical-looking beaches, and another country with highs of 30C even in winter.

Advantage Travel Partnership, a UK-based consortium of independent travel businesses has said Albania as the destination to watch for 2027.

The country is much lesser-visited by Brits than the likes of France, Spain and Greece – but it has so much to offer, including beautiful beaches and hot summers.

One spot along the Albanian Riviera called Ksamil is regularly labelled the ‘Maldives of Europe,’ for its stunning coastline.

The village is in the south of Albania very close to Corfu – in fact on a clear day you can see across to the island.

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Ksamil has white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, and offshore islands that you can swim to from the mainland, giving it similar attributes to the Maldives.

The easiest way to get to Ksamil is actually to fly into Corfu Airport and take a quick ferry crossing across.

Another spot in Albania that is loved by singer Dua Lipa is the seaside village, Dhermi, which in the summertime is called a ‘bustling seaside paradise’.

It has pebbled beaches, beach clubs, a historic old town, and one of the biggest attractions is Pirates’ Cave.

Albania during the spring sits around the mid-20s, and during summertime can be over 30C.

There are direct flights from London Heathrow, Stansted and Luton to the country’s capital, Tirana, which start from £30.

Visitors to Albania have been steadily rising, previous statistics reveal that tourists visiting Albania nearly doubled from 6.4million in 2019 to 11.7million in 2024.

Other places that the data revealed are on the up next year include Egypt, an affordable winter sun hotspot.

The country and particularly Red Sea resorts attract Brits in the later part of the year thanks to its high temperatures.

In October, Egypt can still bask on the beach in 30C heat – meanwhile the UK’s average is around 10C.

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

According to Wise, a beer in Egypt can be as little as 50EG which is 77p.

Coffee can be as little as 54p and a meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs an average of £2.75.

Earlier this year, Chris Logan, Commercial Director at TUI UK&I named Egypt as one of their “most in demand destinations.”

He named Sharm El Sheikh as a popular spot for couples with its blend of relaxation, vibrant nightlife, and world‑class reefs.

Hurghada is a spot that’s “especially popular with families thanks to its impressive all‑inclusive offering, shallow beaches, and brilliant snorkelling”.

Nearby Marsa Alam is also gaining in popularity thanks to its “pristine beaches, exceptional diving, and a more laid‑back atmosphere”.

There are plenty of direct flights to Egypt from the UK, particularly in the winter months, with an average flight time of just over five hours.

Two other on-the-rise destinations for 2027 include Hong Kong and Vietnam.

The Sun’s Business Affairs Editor James Flanders visited Vietnam last year where he was delighted to find beers for £1.

James said: “From the moment I touched down in Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital, I knew my trip would be unforgettable.

“The city doesn’t just welcome you — it wraps you in its embrace with the hum of motorbikes, the aroma of street food, and a culture so vibrant you can’t help but fall in love. 

“My favourite memories of Hanoi, however, were on Train Street. This narrow alley is famed for its railway, which runs straight through the centre, so close to the tiny cafés flanking the street that you can feel the rush of air when the carriages whoosh past.”

Outside of the capital, one popular activity is kayaking along Ha Long Bay which has emerald waters and is surrounded by towering limestone cliffs.

No one will be disappointed by the food and drink scene in Vietnam, James enjoyed Huda beer, crispy fried spring rolls, and a stir-fried rice noodle dish for less than £8. 

THERE are certain holiday compromises I’m willing to make – a slightly disappointing balcony view, early rises for sun lounger dashes or the hotel buffet serving chips for breakfast.

But booking a holiday and then discovering there’s nowhere to watch the football? An absolute no from me.

At some hotels, watching the match means squinting at a television above reception, with the sound off.

But at others, it’s treated as part of the holiday.

By that I mean dedicated sports bars and even enormous outdoor screens beside the pool which show the matches.

So I’ve picked eight hotels where Premier League fans should be particularly well catered for – with all-inclusive deals starting from £355pp.

But a quick note before we jump in: exactly which matches are screened can depend on local broadcasting rights and the hotel’s entertainment schedule, particularly when several big sporting events clash.

So if there’s one fixture you absolutely cannot miss, it’s always worth checking directly with the hotel before you travel.

1. Philoxenia Hotel, Halkidiki – from £355pp

The Philoxenia Hotel offers a much more peaceful way to keep up with the Premier League.

Football is shown around The Local Bar, the hotel’s main bar and lounge, with indoor tables and comfortable communal seating, along with an adjoining outdoor terrace where you can take your drink before or after the match.

It isn’t a full-on sports pub covered from wall to wall in screen – instead, it gives guests a relaxed place to gather for the bigger fixtures without having to leave the hotel.

The hotel itself is surrounded by pine and olive trees, with a large outdoor swimming pool and a beach around five minutes’ walk away.

There’s a buffet restaurant, children’s facilities and a pool bar, too.

This is the one for someone who wants a quiet, traditional Greek beach holiday but would still like to know there’s somewhere nearby when the Premier League weekend begins.

A five-night all-inclusive stay in October comes in at just £355pp.

Not only is this the cheapest hotel in my selection, but other board options are also available if you want to bring the price down further.

2. Barcelo Royal Beach, Sunny Beach – from £405pp

For a more serious football setup, Barcelo Royal Beach is difficult to beat.

Premier League matches are among the sports shown at the Red Lion Pub, a British-style bar within the hotel gardens.

It sits directly in front of the children’s pool and one of the adult pools, so you barely need to leave your sunbed to watch the match.

There are numerous tellies and four big screens, with the ability to show two different sporting events simultaneously – useful if a Premier League fixture clashes with another match or even another sport altogether, as it also shows rugby and F1.

The pub has around 200 seats inside (and another 100 in the garden), English commentary is available and its weekly sports schedule is displayed at the entrances.

There’s also a pool table, darts, live music and karaoke, plus familiar British beers on draught.

The wider hotel has a huge lagoon-style pool, children’s facilities and a position close to the beach and the centre of Sunny Beach – ideal if you want a proper package holiday with a ready-made football pub included.

You can get a full seven-night all-inclusive holiday here for £405pp. Bargain!

3. Muthu Clube Praia da Oura, Albufeira – from £430pp

Muthu Clube Praia da Oura is a brilliant compromise if not everyone travelling cares about the Premier League.

The resort has a lounge where live football is shown, with indoor seating, tables and bar service.

This means having somewhere comfortable to sit down and follow the match properly without having to venture onto Albufeira’s Strip and fight for a view in a busy pub.

The communal setup also means the biggest Premier League fixtures can attract a bit of an atmosphere among British guests, rather than leaving you alone with your phone beside the pool.

Meanwhile, anyone who couldn’t care less about the score can remain around the swimming pools, walk down to Praia da Oura beach or take advantage of the hotel’s spacious grounds.

The apartments provide more room than a standard hotel bedroom, while the bars and nightlife of Albufeira are within walking distance if the result leaves you in the mood to celebrate… or in urgent need of somewhere to forget it happened.

And this October, £430pp gets you five nights with all your meals and selected drinks included.

If you’d rather explore Albufeira’s restaurants and bars, you can always pick a cheaper board, although at under £500 for five nights all-inclusive, it’s pretty hard to beat.

4. Magic Aqua Rock Gardens, Benidorm – from £440pp

At Magic Aqua Rock Gardens, watching the Premier League can become part of a pool day.

The hotel has an enormous outdoor LED screen beside the swimming pool, which is used for sporting events – as well as films, concerts and music videos.

That means you could potentially follow one of the weekend’s big matches from the poolside on your sunbed, rather than sacrificing two hours of Spanish sunshine in a dark television room.

There’s a swim-up bar in the pool and a daytime snack bar nearby, making it relatively easy to collect another drink or something to eat without missing a goal.

The hotel even has an indoor television room, offering another option for matches that don’t make the outdoor entertainment schedule.

Beyond the football, it’s an African-themed family hotel with waterslides, a splash area, swimming pools, entertainment and a rooftop adults-only chill-out space.

It’s the strongest family option on the list: the children get a waterpark holiday, you get all-inclusive food and drink, and there’s a giant screen waiting when the Premier League kicks off.

And at £440pp for a full week all-inclusive this October, it’s also one of the best-value packages I found.

5. AX ODYCY, Malta – from £445pp

AX ODYCY gives you a modern Malta hotel and a football-friendly gastropub in the same building.

Premier League fans can head to Cheeky Monkey Gastropub, the lively bar and restaurant attached to the hotel which has a massive television with indoor tables, bar seating and a spacious outdoor terrace overlooking the Qawra seafront.

And because it’s a full gastropub rather than a television in the hotel lobby, you can order burgers, wings, sharing platters and drinks while keeping an eye on the match.

The venue attracts local customers as well as hotel guests, helping the bigger fixtures generate some genuine atmosphere.

There’s plenty of seating for groups, while the terrace gives anyone less interested in the football somewhere to sit without abandoning the rest of the party.

The hotel has several pools, loads of restaurants, children’s facilities and rooftop areas, all overlooking the Mediterranean.

It’s a smart option for families or couples who want more than a sports bar, but would certainly prefer to have one just downstairs when the Premier League is on.

A five-night all-inclusive stay costs from £445pp, with even cheaper board options available if you’d prefer to spend more of your holiday eating and drinking around Malta.

6. Radisson Resort Ras Al Khaimah Marjan Island – from £655pp

If you want reliable sunshine long after the European summer has finished, why not try Ras Al Khaimah?

The Radisson Resort Ras Al Khaimah Marjan Island offers a winter-sun alternative to Dubai’s more expensive hotels.

The place to look for the Premier League is RBG Bar, the resort’s dedicated beach-facing sports bar.

It has a relaxed indoor seating area, an outdoor terrace, retro-inspired pub decor and games to keep you entertained before kick-off, plus draught and bottled beers, cocktails and food are all available from the bar.

It opens from late afternoon until 1am, which works well for many Premier League kick-offs once the time difference is taken into account.

The hotel itself sits directly on the beach at Marjan Island and has outdoor pools, children’s facilities and several places to eat and drink.

Crucially, it delivers the UAE beach-holiday experience without the enormous price attached to some of Dubai’s best-known sports hotels.

I found a five-night all-inclusive deal for just £655pp this October, an insanely affordable deal for a mid-haul holiday.

7. Iberostar Waves Bouganville Playa, Tenerife – from £670pp

Iberostar Waves Bouganville Playa is suited to supporters who want to watch the Premier League without their entire hotel feeling like a sports pub.

Football can be shown around the hotel’s communal bar and lounge area, where guests have proper tables, comfortable seats and bar service close at hand.

The hotels in Costa Adeje, right beside the seafront and close to Puerto Colon.

This is where you will find sports bars galore – try The Corner Sport Bar or Palms Sport Bar.

And the hotel itself has a large swimming pool, kids activities, entertainment and excellent access to the waterfront.

You can sit down with a drink, watch the match with other guests and then return to the pool or promenade when it finishes.

And the five-night all-inclusive package in November that I found is available from a very reasonable £670pp.

If you plan to spend more of your time exploring Costa Adeje, other board options are available for less.

8. Hard Rock Hotel Tenerife – from £850pp

Hard Rock Hotel Tenerife is definitely the premium option of this list, but it also has one of the best sports bars by far.

The action takes place in 3rd Half, a purpose-built sports bar on the ground floor of the hotel’s Nirvana Tower.

It has giant screens as well as smaller televisions positioned throughout the venue (helping guests get a good view from different seats) as well as an indoor bar and stage, a pool table and a semi-open terrace overlooking the gardens.

Football shirts, balls, trophies and other memorabilia line the walls, making it feel like an upmarket sports bar rather than a standard hotel lounge that happens to own a television.

Premier League football sits alongside LaLiga and other major sporting events on its screens. 

You can watch with an imported beer or cocktail and order burgers, pizzas, nachos, hot dogs or chicken wings from the match-friendly menu.

There are sometimes bands and jam sessions on the indoor stage later in the evening, so you can stay after the match rather than heading straight back to your room.

It’s also worth bearing in mind that this is a full-on five-star resort with loads of pools, a beach club, live music and more places to eat and drink than you’re likely to visit during a short break.

It’s expensive compared with the rest of the list, but very good for groups or couples where one person wants a luxury Tenerife holiday and the other has mentally organised the entire trip around the Premier League fixture list.

The four-night all-inclusive break I found in October comes in at £850pp – not cheap, no but this is the hotel to choose if you want to go all-out.

TO ESCAPE the chaos of summer and enjoy the delights of quieter hotels, lots of us like to book holidays between September and November.

Those three months have lots of names like the ‘magic period’ or ‘shoulder season‘ and taking a break then can save you some serious cash.

Whether you want a quick trip to Spain or a holiday to African resorts for winter sun, there are some great deals out there, and lastminute.com have helped us find some of the best.

They told us: “Once the peak summer period has passed, travellers can often find significantly better value on flights and holidays, while still enjoying warm weather and everything a destination has to offer, proving that it is better to leave it until the last minute.”

The cheapest spot is Costa Dorada in Spain where on average holidays cost £79pppn.

The Costa Dorada is a region along the Mediterranean coastline and includes popular spots like Tarragona and Salou.

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What’s even better is that you can definitely still spend time on the beaches too as in October there are average daytime temperatures of around 22C.

It’s also home to the enormous PortAventura World which is one of Europe’s biggest theme parks – and is home to Europe’s tallest and fastest accelerator coaster Red Force in Ferrari Land.

If it tickles your fancy, check into Hotel Best Negresco in Salou.

It’s a beach front spot with rooms that have views of the coast along with a restaurant, bar, swimming pool, sun terrace and spa.

A four-night stay for two with return flights to London Luton in October starts from £248pp – or £62pppn.

If you want to add half-board to have breakfast and dinner included it’s an extra £26pp.

The second cheapest destination for autumn is Sousse in Tunisia.

The coastal resort city is known for having bright blue waters and plenty of beach clubs.

Visitors can explore the Medina of Sousse – a historic walled quarter that is an open-air market where you can pick up ceramics, leather bags, shoes and jewellery.

With lastminute.com you can book to stay at the Hotel Royal Jinene Beach & Spa from £66pn – and it includes return flights and half board.

The hotel has an indoor pool, outdoor pool with a big slide, bar, restaurant and coffee house as well as activities like tennis and mini golf.

There’s also a spa and live music nights and a short walk away is the sandy Plage El Menchia.

A four-night stay for two people with half board and return flights to London Southend in October is £264pp – or £66pppn.

It’s back to Spain for the third cheapest destination in autumn which is the Costa Brava where on average a holiday is £87pppn – although there are cheaper deals to be found.

The coastal region in northeastern Spain has lots of beaches with cliff backdrops and coves.

The Costa Brava has 300 days of sunshine every year and is mild throughout September and October.

Hotel Tahití Playa & Suites 4Sup is right on the Mediterranean coastline and is just a few steps away from the beach.

It also has a swimming pool, restaurant with themed dinner nights, sun terrace, pool bar, activities like table tennis and yoga classes.

There’s also a spa as well as live performances and entertainment.

A four-night room only stay for two in October at Hotel Tahití Playa & Suites 4Sup including return flights to London Stansted is £153pp – or £38pppn.

The Albanian Coast is emerging as a cheap alternative to other coastlines – with white sand beaches, no wonder it’s loved by celebs like Dua Lipa.

Sarandë is known as the the ‘city’ of the Riviera.

It’s surrounded by the blue waters of the Ionian Sea with seafood restaurants and cheap beer, with pints as little as £1.30.

Here, you can book a stay in the four-star Bougainville Bay Hotel which is considered a gallery itself full of sculptures, paintings and mosaics.

The hotel is next to the sea and you can enjoy the views from its beautiful infinity pool.

It also has four bars, two restaurants and four swimming pools.

In October, temperatures in the daytime sit around 21C – although they do drop in the evening.

A four-night stay for two including breakfast in October at the Bougainville Bay Hotel including return flights to London Stansted is £229pp – or £57.25pppn.

Coming in fifth position for being one of the cheapest spots for a holiday in autumn is Hammamet.

The coastal resort town in northeastern Tunisia boasts golden beaches and there’s plenty of historical sites to explore if you fancy a wander.

Hammamet is a great spot for anyone wanting a dose of sunshine and heat as in October temperatures can be as high as 26C.

For Brits it’s ideal as it’s as little as three and a half hours away from the UK.

The Yocca Hotel Residence is slightly outside of the city with spacious rooms some of which have balconies, swimming pool, garden, terrace and restaurant.

A six-night stay for two at the Yocca Hotel Residence including return flights from London Gatwick is £308pp – or £51.34pppn.

TRAVELLERS face another day of chaos across UK airports today following a major tech outage cancelling flights yesterday.

Thousands of passengers were hit by flight cancellations and delays yesterday due to an air traffic control issue emerging around 1pm.

People reported being stuck on planes on the tarmac for hours and many travellers are currently stranded abroad with new flights home only available next week.

NATS has now warned that delays are expected to continue as it tries to “clear a backlog of flights” – but here is all you need to know if you have been impacted.

My flight has been cancelled, what do I do?

Contact your airline immediately and ask to be rebooked onto the next available flight.

Airlines must provide you with this option. Unfortunately, in a situation like this where so many flights have been cancelled, it may be that they offer you a flight well into the next few days.

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You do not have to accept this. If you can find an alternative flight with a different airline that will get you to your destination sooner, you have the right to either have the airline book you onto this or book it yourself.

Use a credit card, keep all receipts and claim it back from your airline. In situations like this, the last thing you should do is simply get a refund if you have no alternative means of getting to your destination.

If you do this, your airline no longer has any duty of care and does not have to get you home.

Only request a refund if you are happy for the airline to no longer have any responsibility for your travel options. – Lisa Minot, Head of Travel

How do I contact my airline?

You will likely be contacted by your airline directly if your flight has been affected by the air traffic control meltdown.

If you are already at the airport or on your way there, the best thing to do is speak to someone on the ground.

Phones will be ringing off the hook right now so the check in desk or your airline help desk is your best bet.

Anyone who is at home and has not been provided with a satisfactory alternative flight or the option to a refund should either call the airline via the customer services number or make contact via the live chat option on the website.

Some airlines, like British Airways, will allow you to rebook within their airline app.

If the changes are complicated, however, phone or in-person is best.  – Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor

What if I have a holiday package booked?

If you have a holiday package booked, you have more protection than flight-only bookings.

This is because they are ATOL protected, which means your money is safeguarded by a a UK financial protection scheme (often needed for when holiday companies go bust).

If your flight is cancelled, your tour operator must offer an alternative flight or replacement holiday.

If neither work you, then you must be given a full refund – Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor

Can I get compensation?

No. Airlines are only required to give you compensation if the delay or cancellation is the airline’s fault, as in a technical failure on a plane or issues with crew.

In this situation, where ATC is the reason for the chaos, there is unfortunately no compensation due.

Check your insurance policy to see if you have any redress if you have incurred additional costs like missing a concert or unable to pick up car hire. You may be able to claim for that.

Generally for delays, if an airline looks after you or provides you with food and drink or hotels, you cannot claim for the same costs against your travel insurance. – Lisa Minot, Head of Travel

How do you claim compensation?

If your flight has been cancelled strictly as a result of yesterday’s incident, you will not be entitled to compensation.

This is because the situation is deemed to be outside of the airline’s control and falls under the category of extraordinary circumstances.

Airlines do, however, still have a duty of care to their passengers and anyone experiencing delays of between two to four hours will be entitled to food and drinks vouchers.

These are usually handed out according to the distance you are flying.

For example if your trip is short haul then you are entitled to vouchers once the delay reaches two hours.

The delay must be at least three hours for mid haul or four hours for long haul.

If you are stranded and need to stay in a hotel, this also falls under duty of care and the airline should assist you in this.

As mentioned above, if you end up paying for anything yourself, you must keep receipts so that you can claim this back. – Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor

Am I covered by travel insurance?

This is strictly down to what your insurance policy says. It really depends on the level of policy you paid for, so it’s worth checking the small print.

You’ll need to be covered for things like delay, travel disruption, cancellations and missed connections.

If you went for the cheaper option when booking your policy, it’s likely there may be some holes in your cover.

Always make sure you take out travel insurance and check the details before signing on the dotted line – instances like this are why it’s worth protecting yourself. – Caroline McGuire, Head of Travel (Digital)  

I missed an event can I get my money back?

It depends what you booked and how.

For a missed concert, theatre show or other event, check your travel insurance to see if it is covered because of the delay or cancellation – you may be able to claim.

The same applies for car hire or missed accommodation expenses but only if your travel insurance policy includes such disruption.

If you paid by credit card and the value is over £100 it may be worth calling your credit card provider and seeing if you can claim under Section 75 of the consumer credit act. – Lisa Minot, Head of Travel

What about if you’re supposed to be flying soon?

If you’re due to jet off in the coming days and have not yet been contacted by your airline, take this as a good sign.

The specific issue that resulted in yesterday’s chaos was fixed within four hours and many airports have said that they are operating as normal today.

Despite this quick fix, yesterday still saw over 1000 cancellations across UK airports which has had a dramatic knock on effect that could continue for days.

Keep a look out for any changes to your flight and act immediately if a cancellation arises.

If your flight is not cancelled, be warned that it could be busier than anticipated, with airlines struggling to find space for passengers who are trying to reach their destination after a cancellation.  – Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor

DESPITE being island-dwellers ourselves, there’s something much more exciting about a holiday abroad on one.

There’s the party islands of Ibiza or how about a trip to the Caribbean complete with pina coladas?

The Sun Travel team have certainly racked up the air miles when it comes to travelling the world, and have found their ultimate island holidays along the way.

That’s not to say there aren’t a few closer to home that we love, including ones across Scotland and Wales.

So here are some of our faves – and our top tips for finding a bargain.

Sicily 

Skip Tuscany or the Amalfi coast – if you want a cheap Italy experience, go to Sicily for £5 Aperol Spritzs instead of £15, or £4 takeaway pizzas.

I enjoyed an idyllic stay in Ad Astra, a villa right on the beach at Finale di Pollina, part of the hand-picked collection from Wish Sicily.

With four bedrooms, a gorgeous pool and wonderful outside eating areas, it would have been tempting to just laze around on the sunbeds, taking the occasional dip in the sea.

But there’s so much more to enjoy here with the nearby medieval hilltop village of Pollina, home to sleepy streets, ancient amphitheatres and £2 glasses of wine.

We escaped the crowds by taking a dip in the clear waters of the pebble bay of Spiaggia Torre Conca, tucked beneath the cliffs by Finale di Pollina.

Just minutes from the villa was the rustic Beach Club Costa Turchina, a family-run restaurant with £10 bowls of pasta, and massive dinner plate-sized steaks for £14.

For 2026, the owners are expanding and are offering yurt stays with private hot tubs in a field next to the restaurant, and you can hire bikes, scooters and boats from the club as well.

Sicily delivered great value, far less crowds and a slice of la dolce vita without the price tag! – Lisa Minot, Head of Travel

Golden Isles, France

The Golden Isles off the coast of the South of France – and made up of three Caribbean-like, unspoilt islands – offer an incredibly peaceful antidote to the crowds of the Cote D’Azur.

Porquerolles is the largest despite being just 7km long and 3km wide and is car free, with 50kms of cycle paths instead (you can rent bicycles in the main village).

There is the pine-fringed beach of Plage Notre Dame, or Plage du Langoustier on the island’s western-most tip has a strip of sparkling white sand to the north, and a black sand beach to the south (save time for Restaurant Porquerollais for traditional Med fish specialities).

Smaller Port Cros is a rugged haven for hikers and snorkellers, also with no cars, but also no bikes and absolutely no smoking allowed anywhere outdoors to protect this piece of paradise, France’s first marine national park.

(For the freshest seafood and colourful cocktails, reserve a table at Restaurant Hostellerie Provencale right next to the harbour.)

And finally Ile De Levant has yet another surprise up its sleeve.

While most of the island is inaccessible for military testing, Heliopolis is one of Europe’s oldest naturist villages, founded in 1931 and clothes are entirely optional everywhere on the island, except in the harbour and village square.

Getting to the islands is easy too, with regular ferries to Porquerolles from Hyeres taking just 15 to 20 minutes and other regular boat transfers to Port Cros and Ile de Levant from nearby coastal towns like Le Lavandou. – Lisa Minot, Head of Travel

Eilean Shona

Did you know that Scotland has around 900 offshore islands and only between 94 and 97 of these are permanently inhabited? I would say that makes them more special to visit.

Eilean Shona is a tiny tidal island in the Inner Hebrides, about an hour from Fort William. 

To reach the island – where only nine people live – you need to take a small ferry and once there you won’t find cars or roads. 

Instead, you’ll find a green haven with abundant wildlife and cosy cottages to stay in.

In fact, the island inspired J.M. Barrie’s Neverland in Peter Pan.

To visit the island, you must be booked to stay in one of the various accommodations on the island – which cost from £1,100 per week for two people (so £78.58 per person per night).

There’s not much to do on the island itself – but for those who want a peaceful retreat or love hiking it is the ideal spot. 

And make sure to visit Shoe Bay at one end of the island – it boasts a white sand beach with crystal clear waters that looks like the Maldives. – Cyann Fielding, Travel Reporter

Spinalonga

Spinalonga is a small island off the northeast coast of Crete known for its huge 16th century Venetian fortress that later became one of Europe’s last active leper colonies between 1903 and 1957. 

The fortress itself dates back to 1579 and when you visit the island, you can see some of the ruined buildings as well as others that are more intact. 

There are information points across the island as well, where you can learn about the history of Spinalonga.

The island is great for a half-day trip, the ferry only takes about 10 minutes to reach Spinalonga from Plaka – a pretty Cretian town with a few shops and tavernas overhanging the water. 

A round-trip boat transfer from Plaka to Spinalonga costs €12 (£10.28) for adults and €6 (£5.14) for children.

The boats run every 30 minutes. – Cyann Fielding, Travel Reporter

Puerto Rico

Sun, sand, sea and some of the best food I’ve ever eaten – Puerto Rico is an island that I cannot fault.

Firstly off, even if you’re heading elsewhere on the island, its capital, San Juan, is not to be missed.

The colourful streets are ripe for exploring during the day filled with cafes and jewellery shops, then as night falls, the bars come alive enticing you in with loud music and cheap drinks.

Nearby is the trendy neighbourhood of Santurce which is known to be one of Bad Bunny’s favourites thanks to its huge street murals

My favourite part though was exploring the western region of the island to find its incredible beaches like Crash Boat Beach in Aguadilla.

The popular family spot has soft sand perfect for sunbathing, and it’s Caribbean Sea so it’s warm to swim in too (the north coast of the island borders the Atlantic Ocean).

It’s tradition here to jump off the fishing pier too. Another is Jobos Beach in Isabela which is a prime surfing spot for both advanced and beginners.

Food in Puerto Rico is delicious, but don’t expect to be healthy – from mofongo (fried balls of mashed plantain) or tasty empanadillas… you’ll definitely be feeling the extra pounds on your way back. Alice Penwill, Travel Reporter

Anglesey

Anglesey has all the ingredients for a Great British break – beautiful beaches, plenty of attractions and when it comes to nature, quite often you’ll see dolphins, grey seals and puffins off the coast.

During my visit, I set up camp in the little village of Moelfre which was incredibly quiet even during the height of summer.

It’s not the place for huge entertainment, but what you’ll find instead are gorgeous pubs, a cute little coffee shop called Ann’s Pantry and beach of its own called Taeth Moelfre.

If you’re after a longer stretch of sand to go out and paddle or sunbathe, then head to Traeth Lligwy for golden shores and a sandbank when the tide goes out so the kids can carry on playing without going too far.

To see more of the island, definitely take or hire a car so you can drive to Beaumaris to see its castle and pier.

If it’s not too windy then make sure to hop on the ferry to see Puffin Island – a small wildlife sanctuary for the birds on the eastern side of Angelesey.

I loved our cottage we stayed in called Bryn Awel and sleeps up to six people.

With seven nights costing £577 (or £13.74ppn each), it’s snug with a cosy woodburner to fire up in the winter months and a large suntrap patio for the summertime. Alice Penwill, Travel Reporter

Ibiza

My deep-rooted love for Spain’s White Isle is shared among many Brits. It’s cheap and easy to reach from the UK, with plenty of flights, and is now littered with some of the hottest restaurants and chicest hotels in Europe.

While many come here to party (the island is home to UNVRS, the largest nightclub in the world, and Hï, frequently voted one of the best in the world) those in the know appreciate its quieter side and rustic beauty.

A holiday in Ibiza, for me, is rarely complete without a boat trip around the coast, stopping off at secluded coves where you’ll find nothing other than a few locals playing chess above the craggy rocks.

You don’t have to spend hundreds. SamBoat has some very affordable deals.

Beach clubs and bars are, of course, in abundance, but they come with a hefty price tag these days.

So if you’re strapped for cash, just lay a towel down and enjoy the vibes. Afterall, every beach in Ibiza is publicly owned, so no one can stop you enjoying the sands.

If you are willing to splurge a little, Beach House in Playa d’en Bossa is one of my all-time favourites.

The food is outstanding – think grilled king crab and sizzling rice dishes – while the atmosphere is mellow and rather unpretentious compared to some other spots. Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor

Sri Lanka

I still lust over the meals I ate during my trip to Sri Lanka. Choose local and you won’t regret it – just make sure to alert the staff if you’re not good with spice.

Authentic restaurants will also charge you a much more reasonable price than the plush holiday resorts.

Keep your eyes peeled for hoppers, a traditional street food that’s essentially a spongy bowl-shaped pancake, often served with a soft egg at its centre and used to scoop up all manner of curries and saucy dishes.

The east coast is where to head for a more laidback and quieter scene, away from the crowded tourist areas in the south.

The sands here are so white and the waters so blue, it felt as close to paradise as I’ll ever get.

Don’t be surprised to spot cows strolling along the sands while you kip on your sunlounger or monkeys poised in the trees above, waiting to pinch your chips.

The wildlife is so spectacular here and another reason why I love this island so much.

In the more suburban areas you may even spot elephants casually crossing the road, bringing traffic to a halt. Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor

Phuket

It’s no surprise to me that Thailand’s second largest island attracts up to 14 million visitors annually.

Phuket is home to beaches that look like those in the movies: fringed by swaying palm trees and overlooking a clear ocean that is teeming with colourful fish.

Ao Sane Beach and Kata Noi Beach are two popular spots where you can snorkel without needing to shell out for a boat trip.

It may cost you a wad of cash to fly here but once you’re on the island, basics are really budget-friendly.

Find your nearest night market and get fully stuck in, exploring the food stalls serving sizzling fish, meat and potatoes on a skewer or dancing to live music.

Food tends to be cheap and properly authentic and you can pick up local beers for around 60 baht (£1.34) or affordable, hand-made clothing – just be warned, Thai people tend to be tiny in comparison to Brits, so you’ll likely need to up-size.

For a bit of culture, make your way to the peak of the Nakkerd Hills to observe the Big Buddha, a 45-metre-high statue made from tiny marbles. Phuket Old Town is great to potter around, too.

Some of the trendy coffee shops wouldn’t look out of place in a sweet market town right here in the UK. Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor

Ria Formusa

If you want Caribbean sands with Europe-length flights, then you’re going to want to head to Portugal.

Just off the coast of Faro is the Ria Formosa, a protected lagoon area with a number of tiny islands.

They’re easy to get to, with boats just a few euros and being no more than 45 minutes.

My favourite was Ilha Deserta, also known as Baretta.

We had the white sandy beaches all to ourselves, with the only thing on the island being the standalone restaurant Restaurante Estaminé (come for the panoramic views, stay for the succulent fresh fish).

Or there is the slightly, but barely more built up Ilha Culatra, with a few more beach shacks and cafes but just as stunning stretches of water.

You’re best staying on the mainland as most of these places are both car and hotel free, with hotels from around £65 a night.

Or splash the cash on 3HB Faro, the only five star hotel in town complete with rooftop bar and trendy, mod-conned rooms. Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor

Isla del Cano 

Some of my favourite islands around the world are the ones that make you feel like you’re the only person on the planet.

One that recently took my breath away was Isla del Cano in Costa Rica.

It’s a wildlife reserve, so you can’t stay on the island, but you can explore the waters by boat before hopping onto land for a drink and beach shower.

Having the place almost to ourselves, we saw everything from turtles and humpback whales to bright corals. 

For the best views, climb the wooden lookout platform to overlook the waters, where you can see the multicoloured waters mixing together.

They even limit the amount of daily visitors to just 200, to try and protect the ecosystem, and guides must have an official permit.

Robinson Crusoe, eat your heart out.

Stay at Drake Bay, as this is where the boats leave for the island. You can find home stays and cheap hotels from around £30 a night. Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor

OVER one million tourists visit Thailand every year – especially in the autumn, winter thanks to its sunny climate.

But for anyone heading there soon, there’s bad news as the amount of time you can stay is being slashed in half.

Since July 2024, the country allowed tourists from 93 countries – including the UK – to stay in the country for 60 days without a visa.

But in a matter of weeks, the allowance is being cut in half.

Starting September 15, 2026, nationals of 60 countries and territories, including the UK will be allowed to stay visa-free for up to 30 days. 

According to officials, the list was revised to “reflect current circumstances, taking into account national security and economic considerations as well as the promotion of tourism”.

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Tourists can visit still visit 30 days visa-free for tourism, business engagements, and urgent or ad-hoc work.

Advice on the GOV.UK has a warning for anyone who stays in Thailand longer than the given period – or if you stay without a visa.

It reads: “If you overstay the period of your visa, you will get a fine of 500 Thai baht a day up to a maximum of 20,000 baht. You risk being:

• held in detention
• deported at your own expense
• banned from re-entering Thailand for up to 10 years

“Conditions in detention centres can be harsh.”

Other entry requirements are that your passport has an expiry of at least six months after the date you arrive and have at least one blank page for stamping.

Travellers also need to complete a digital card at least three days before arrival.