Sunshine holidays

The breathtaking island is about a four-hour flight from the UK and boasts heaps of history, culture, TV links and a new hotel that is going to be a hit with rock fans

There are few better places where you can move effortlessly between sunshine, sea and centuries of history than the stunning island of Malta. Friends and family had recommended it to me as the perfect holiday for a mix of sightseeing and relaxation, and it certainly delivered.

As a small island, Malta packs a punch, offering tourists everything they want right on their doorstep. There are few bigger mood killers than a day tour entailing hours and hours cooped up in the car, but Malta’s size means you can hop from place to place in no time at all.

You can easily get a boat to Gozo or the Blue Lagoon in half a day, drink in the incredible sights of Malta’s shoreline, and be back in time to hit the pool before dinner. Meanwhile, Valletta, the EU’s smallest capital, is easily accessible by car or bus, and you need only a few hours to soak up the famous yellow architecture, pretty alleyways and sea views.

The city blows you away with its vivid colours as you arrive. Valletta may be modest in size, but it is extraordinary to look at, boasting a rich history closely connected to the UK. It played a major role in World War Two and became a favourite destination of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. Even today, a British influence is visible on the streets, with our famous red postboxes and iconic Victorian architecture everywhere you go.

Despite being only 0.3 square miles, Valletta offers plenty for a day trip; it boasts 320 historic sites, from the famous St John’s Co-Cathedral to Fort St Elmo. Not only that, it has been the backdrop for several hit Hollywood films, including Assassin’s Creed and Napoleon, making the city a treat for film buffs. At every turn, you are greeted by grand churches and colourful balconies, and all with a jaw-dropping coastline backdrop. A mere few hours was the perfect amount of time to explore before settling down with an Aperol Spritz.

Just a few miles along one of Malta’s most vibrant stretches of coastline lies St Julian’s, a perfect spot for those who like to swim and sunbathe during the day and head out at night. If Valletta is Malta’s historic beating heart, St Julian’s is its party spirit. As it gets dark, restaurants spill onto terraces and the waterfront fills up for sunset drinks.

Nestled nearby in the beautiful St George’s Bay is the Hard Rock Hotel Malta, which opened its doors this summer and could quickly become Malta’s go-to destination. Boasting stunning panoramic sea views, a state-of-the-art gym, a luxury spa area, and eleven (that’s right) swimming pools, it has truly thought of everything. Forgotten your sunscreen? That’s okay, because the hotel even has its own huge shopping centre and supermarket, with everything you could possibly need just a few steps from your room.

The swim-up bar at Hard Rock Hotel was also a particular highlight; I loved basking in the water with a chilled glass of wine while people-watching down onto the beach below. It made the lazy afternoons flow perfectly into the evenings, with sunbathing by the water giving way to sunset drinks on the terrace as guests soaked up the views at all points of the day.

Inside, music memorabilia gave a personal touch, while the hotel’s luxury amenities almost tempt you to forgo exploring. The hotel also boasts a wide range of stylish restaurants and bars serving impeccable food and cocktails from around the world. The experience could be a little overwhelming, but as someone who typically prefers a smaller, boutique stay, I loved the convenience that the Hard Rock Hotel offers when you have only a few days to enjoy. The spacious rooms were also gorgeous with sea-themed decor and a large balcony, and the best part is you’re guaranteed a sea view, with both sides of the hotel offering a stunning glimpse at the Maltese coastline.

If you do want to venture a little further afield for dinner, Cristiano Ronaldo’s restaurant TATEL is a must. Expect beautiful views of the bay’s sparkling waters and a menu that served up some seriously delicious fare (don’t miss out on the iconic Basque Cheesecake).

That’s why Hard Rock Hotel’s location is ideal. The comfort, convenience and style summed up my stay in Malta – everything you need is right in front of you. Exploring doesn’t have to be an ordeal when a morning in ancient streets can be quickly followed by a slow afternoon by a gorgeous pool. You have the beach, the sights, delicious food and drinks all at your fingertips. After a day of sightseeing, returning to the hotel and settling down for a terrace drink felt like part of the holiday rather than a break from it.

Travellers looking for a cost-effective and peaceful Mediterranean escape that offers more than beaches would do a lot worse than enjoy Malta’s ideal combination of history, culture, food and contemporary island life right on your hotel doorstep.

Book it

• Rooms at the Hard Rock Hotel Malta start from £210 a night, based on two adults sharing a Superior Room. Book at hotel.hardrock.com/malta.

Hundreds of flights have been cancelled in a union dispute that could affect thousands of passengers

A ‘massive’ EasyJet cabin crew strike has resulted in the cancellation of hundreds of flights in a popular British tourist destination – and could jeopardise Christmas plans for holidaymakers.

The initial 5-day industrial action is expected to ground approximately 500 scheduled flights across Lisbon, Porto and Faro airports. And the festive period is also set to be disrupted.

The strike began this Friday, October 2, in Portugal and is the first of two walkouts planned for this year. The affected flights involve all domestic airports, but mainly Lisbon and Porto.

The EasyJet cabin crew strike goes on until Tuesday, with 443 flights from the Lisbon, Porto, and Faro bases already scrapped as of this morning, according to the National Union of Civil Aviation Flight Personnel (SNPVAC). “80% of flights involving the Lisbon, Porto, and Faro bases” between October 2 and 6 have already been cancelled, union official Ana Dias told local news agency Lusa. They noted that “the impact has already been massive.”

EasyJet, meanwhile, said 55% of flights were set to operate over the five-day strike period. The National Union of Civil Aviation Flight Personnel (SNPVAC) reported strong participation on Friday, the first of five scheduled strike days for EasyJet cabin crew, adding that only minimum services are being maintained.

EasyJet has confirmed that two return flights from Manchester Airport to Portugal have been axed in the coming days due to industrial action, the MEN reports. The walkout was announced by the National Union of Civil Aviation Flight Personnel and is set to impact flights from Lisbon, Porto and Faro airports, all served by EasyJet from Manchester Airport.

Sic Noticias reports that the union has said other currently scheduled flights could still be disrupted by the strike, although some may be operated by aircraft and crews from other European bases. An official EasyJet source told Lusa on Thursday that the airline anticipates operating approximately 55% of its schedule during the strike period. The source explained that, in addition to “minimum services” (representing about 22% of its Portugal-based operations), the airline is maintaining flights to and from the country operated by crews from other European bases.

The company says these operations are being conducted “in full compliance with applicable laws and regulations,”. The SNPVAC union deems the use of workers from other bases to replace striking staff “illegal” and is considering taking the matter to court.

EasyJet said it was “extremely disappointed” that the strike was taking place, despite its “ongoing efforts to maintain a constructive dialogue and reach an agreement.” It expressed regret over the disruption caused to passengers.

An EasyJet spokesperson said: “We are extremely disappointed that the union representing our Portugal-based cabin crew has announced an industrial action from 2 to 6 October, despite our willingness to continue a constructive dialogue and reach an agreement to meet our employees’ requests and protect the sustainability of EasyJet business in Portugal.

“We are sorry for the impact the unnecessary action will have on our customers, and are doing all we can to minimise disruption, including cancelling two return flights from Manchester in advance to allow our customers to rearrange their travel plans. Customers have been informed directly and offered options including a free transfer or a refund.

“We advise customers travelling to or from Portugal between 2 and 6 October to check the status of their flight via our Flight Tracker.”

Brits looking for cheap Spain holidays where it’s still warm and sunny into late October may want to check out one particularly charming destination

Summer may officially be over, but there’s good news for those not quite ready to accept this fact, as Europe still offers a host of holiday options with hot and sunny weather.

In fact, there’s one Spanish destination that’s been tipped as one of the best holiday hotspots for October, thanks to its balmy temperatures, beautiful beaches and cheap flights.

Lanzarote, in the Canary Islands, still boasts daytime temperatures of 25-27C, with sea waters still warm enough for swimming if you fancy a beach day and a dip. (Just pack some light layers for the evenings when temperatures drop to about 18-19C). Temperatures stay warm well into the winter months – it’s why the Canaries are such popular destinations year-round.

As for Lanzarote, it offers a wide array of different stays from luxury resorts ideal for a romantic getaway, to family-friendly all-inclusive breaks with kids’ clubs, poolside entertainment and family-friendly rooms.

Playa de Papagayo is the highest-rated beach according to TripAdvisor, with holidaymakers praising the golden sands and turquoise waters, although be warned that you’ll need to face a slightly dusty and bumpy road to reach the beach, and cross over some sand dunes. In terms of popularity, Papagayo is closely followed by Playa Blanca, another shoreline made up of soft sands and azure waters with a nearby port and marina if you fancy a waterfront lunch.

The island is also full of brilliant accommodation options. Some of the more popular resorts include the likes of ILUNION Costa Sal Lanzarote, H10 Suite Lanzarote Gardens, Iberostar Selection Lanzarote Park, and Princesa Yaiza Suite Hotel Resort, while the likes of MAGMA Rooms Lanzarote and Apartments Agua Marina Lanzarote offer rooms under £100 a night, outside of half term dates.

As for getting there, when we took a look on Skyscanner, there were plenty of flight options from 12 UK airports with fares from under £30 each way, based on two adults travelling outside of the half term dates. For example we found one-way fares from £17 from Liverpool, £19 from London, £21 from Bristol and £24 from Manchester. (For a family of four travelling during half term, the cheapest flights appeared to be from Bristol with prices from £148pp each way).

Given the weather, cheap flight options and array of accommodation, it’s therefore no surprise that Lanzarote has been named one of Europe’s top 10 best holidays for October, in a recent study from the travel experts at Solmar Villas. The team ranked 105 holiday destinations looking at factors including weather and affordable flights, with Lanzarote coming out sixth in the overall rankings.

Cyprus was the top destination taking four spots in the top ten, while Greece had three destinations on the list and Spain two, followed by Malta – you can check out the full top 10 list below.

Top 10 best October holidays in Europe

1. Ayia Napa, Cyprus
2. Limassol, Cyprus
3. Larnaca, Cyprus
4. Paphos, Cyprus
5. Athens Riviera, Greece
6. Lanzarote, Spain
7. Fuerteventura, Spain
8. Rhodes, Greece
9. Kos, Greece
10. Malta