sun

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.

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.

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.

WAIL OF A TIME

I drove Irish Route 66 with deserted golden beaches and pirate-like islands

TEMPTED?

Tiny ‘Bali of Europe’ town with stunning beaches, €3 cocktails and £20 flights

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Throw in beautiful beaches, fantastic diving opportunities and five hour flights, it’s the perfect mid-haul spot.

Here are some other of our top recommendations.

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MUST SEE/DO

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.

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.

See marriott.com.

It was so hot at Dodger Stadium on Saturday…

How hot was it?

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.

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

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

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

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.

There’s even a theatrical ghost train with a complimentary local G&T on select dates for Halloween (£40pp).

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

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.

The four-hour experience is from £85pp.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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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%.”

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.

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.

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