The Sun Newspaper

A CANNY businesswoman faced with a nightmare train journey from London to Newcastle costing more than £100 flew instead for £30 cheaper — via Italy.

Victoria Williams, 42, had visited friends in the capital.

But what should have been a three-hour rail trip home on Sunday was hit by engineering works.

The £110 trek from Kings Cross to Newcastle involved two changes, including a bus replacement, and would take five hours.

Victoria spotted a Ryanair flight from Stansted to Milan, and then Milan to Newcastle, for a total of just £74 — despite travelling 1,400 miles instead of 240.

She took off at 2pm and arrived at Milan Bergamo two-and-a-half hours later.

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After some duty free shopping, she caught her return flight and landed at Newcastle at 8.10pm.

Mum-of-one Victoria said: “It’s ridiculous and shows the country is creaking at the seams.

“The Government needs to sort this out as London to Newcastle is a major route, connecting businesses and communities.

“Sunday is a major day of travel with people returning home to work after a weekend away.

“The situation is terrible for the economy and for people simply going about their everyday lives.”

“I was shocked when I saw how expensive the train was.

“My heart sank at the prospect of paying that much with the hassle of two changes with a replacement bus.

“I went on Skyscanner but direct flights to Newcastle were hundreds of pounds.

“I kept looking and finally found one via Milan for just £74.

“I felt guilty about the environmental aspect and embarrassed to tell my friends how I was getting home, but it seemed like the best option.

“I had a great time. I got gifts for my little boy in Italy, duty free cigarettes for my partner’s mum and had some lovely food.

“I waited for the connection in a warm, comfortable airport, with multiple shops and restaurants, rather than shivering on a freezing platform.

“I was able to sit quietly while charging my devices, and all in all had a very comfortable, relaxing time.

“I don’t regret it at all but it’s absolutely mad that flying from London to Newcastle via Milan can be cheaper and easier than getting the train.”

HE has more than two decades of hits under his belt and worked with everyone from Amy Winehouse and Dua Lipa to Adele and Miley Cyrus.

Now I can exclusively reveal Mark Ronson will get his flowers at the Brit Awards later this month, as he will receive the Outstanding Contribution to Music award.

And, in even more good news for viewers, Mark will also take to the stage for a performance at the ceremony, being held at ­Manchester’s Co-op Live arena on February 28.

The superstar DJ, producer and songwriter said: “This is the most meaningful honour of my career.

“I think of the times I’ve watched artists I revere accept this same award.

“The idea that I’m now standing in that ­lineage feels impossible.

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“I left England as a kid, but this country runs through everything I’ve made.

“The UK artists I’ve worked with — their brilliance and refusal to compromise — shaped not just my work but how I understand what music should do.

“And more than anything, it’s the crowds here who’ve ­sustained and showed up for me.

“The fans, the festival crowds, the record buyers and streamers — the love has always been overwhelming. I’m beyond grateful for all of it.”

The gong is richly deserved for Mark, who has helped guide some of my favourite artists to superstardom.

It is a poignant year to receive the award, as it marks 20 years since Mark produced Amy’s Back To Black album, which is widely considered one of the greatest records of all time.

Details about his performance are being kept under lock and key, but I imagine he will be treating us to a medley of his hits including the Bruno Mars classic Uptown Funk and Miley Cyrus’ Nothing Breaks Like A Heart.

He joins a stellar list of performers, with Harry Styles, Olivia Dean and Wolf Alice already announced. In receiving the gong, Mark is following in the footsteps of other British favourites including Sir Paul McCartney, Robbie Williams and Blur.

Jack Whitehall is returning to host the biggest night in UK music for the sixth time.

And I am expecting my story about Maura Higgins’ kiss with married McFly singer Danny Jones at last year’s Universal Music after-party to feature heavily in his jokes.

Bring it on.

Nicole strikes a blue note

NICOLE SCHERZINGER looked belting in blue after performing at a charity concert.

She wore this stunning gown to the Love Life: West End Unites Against Cancer event at London’s Theatre Royal Drury Lane just as I revealed her ex Lewis Hamilton, who she dated from 2007 to 2015, is secretly seeing Kim Kardashian.

Nicole is now engaged to former rugby union player Thom Evans – but I won’t be surprised if this gives her a nudge to get on with her wedding planning.

Ben and Benson’s goalden gags

BEN STILLER and Benson Boone play brothers who can’t stop fighting in a new ad.

In the guise of an Eighties Europop duo, the pair argue after comedian Ben tries and fails to copy Benson’s famous backflips.

Then they lock horns over the Super Bowl, with Ben confusing American football with soccer.

He says: “We are excited to sing for you in this football game. Hopefully many, many goals.”

Singer Benson corrects him: “This is a different football – they touch down,” prompting yet more bickering.

Their double act is for online grocery service Instacart’s ad, which will air during the US sporting event on Sunday.

I feel like they need a whole film together.

Kooks show on Sail soon

THE KOOKS will play a huge show at the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, South East London, on July 31 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their incredible album Inside In/Inside Out.

It comes as Luke Pritchard releases a live version of his brilliant 2014 tune See Me Now, which he wrote for his musician dad Bob, who died when he was three.

The new version was recorded at London’s O2 Arena last year, with Luke, telling me: “I didn’t think I would be able to finish the song.

“I just thought how much that this would blow my dad’s mind – that I played the song to that many people in London, you know.”

Bob, who once supported The Rolling Stones on tour, helped Luke first pick up a mic, with the star explaining: “My mum dropped off a load of tapes of me and my dad that I’d never seen.

“He was teaching me to use a microphone, play guitar, pose like a rock star, all when I was three.”

Tickets for the show go on sale at noon on Monday.

I’ll see you there.

Molotovs’ No1 battle

THE MOLOTOVS have thrown down the gauntlet to Lily Allen as they battle her for the No1 album spot this Friday, warning: “We’re coming for you.”

Punk rock siblings Matt and Issey Cartlidge, who make up one of the most exciting and disruptive new bands I’ve seen in years, are at No2 in the midweek charts with their debut record Wasted On Youth.

Meanwhile, Lily has shot up to the No1 spot with West End Girl, after she released physical copies of the record for the first time.

The race is tight, and in an exclusive chat, Matt told me: “Watch out silly Lily, we’re coming for you.

“We’d love to beat you. We wish you all the best but f***ing, come on! We’ll have you!”

Issey adds: “Battling with Lily Allen proves bands are coming back. People still have an appetite for our music.”

Lily, right, is more than happy to hand over the mantle and, on Monday night, issued a public statement to the siblings, writing on Instagram: “It’s all love baby, I hope you win the war.”

Matt and Issey have worked tirelessly to get their album heard and have played 600 live shows to date, while simultaneously championing grassroots venues.

Their campaigning, alongside the Sex Pistols and Frank Carter, helped save the iconic Bush Hall in West London, after a fundraising drive brought in £45,000.

Issey adds: “We’re now ambassadors for the Music Venue Trust too. The 30-date tour we’re on now has been in small, grassroots venues – we wanted to champion them.

“These venues and institutions are so important.”

The pair will support their pal Yungblud on his UK arena tour in April, before they embark on their own 13-date tour across the UK in September, taking in venues including London’s 2,300-capacity O2 Forum Kentish Town.

Matt said: “It’s a big step up. We’ve always had the same level of confidence, we’re just getting bigger.”

The Molotovs deserve a No1 for Wasted On Youth – it is fantastic.

CAUGHT LIVE

Suede @ Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone

★★★★☆

SUEDE kicked off their sold-out UK tour in blistering form over the weekend, promoting latest album Antidepressants which topped The Sun’s album poll in December.

Brett Anderson teased us fans by inviting us into their world, before warning: “It’s not very nice and full of barbed wire.”

But in reality, the set is packed with new tunes and a sprinkling of classics from the Nineties, with Brett’s voice stronger than ever as he treats us to an off-mic a capella tear jerker among the thundering hits.

With 14 of the 21 songs coming from their post- 2010 comeback albums, it’s proof that being the self-dubbed “anti-nostalgia band” is a pretty perfect world after all.

THIS Sunday Bad Bunny will take to the stage for what I ­imagine will be an epic Super Bowl half-time show.

But before that, rapper Lil Wayne will also have his own half-time show . . . virtually, at least. The five-time Grammy winner is set to perform his 2008 hit A Milli on mobile game Clash Royale on Friday.

Lil Wayne said: “Music, sports, and gaming all in one place – y’all know how much I love being at the centre of the culture. I’m turning the Clash Royale Arena into the most lit concert of the week.

“Tap in on February 6 to see what we got in store for y’all.”

CHAPPELL ROAN has defended the “nipple ring” Thierry Mugler dress she wore to the Grammys on Sunday, insisting she had no idea it would cause controversy.

Sharing images on Instagram of the frock, which had fabric hanging from prosthetic pierced nipples, the singer wrote: “Giggling because I don’t even think this is THAT outrageous of an outfit.

“The look is actually so awesome and weird. I recommend just exercising your free will – it’s really fun and silly.”

I am pleased to see Chappell can laugh about it.

Every red carpet could do with a bit more silliness in these troubled times.

ROMEO Beckham gets a lift amid his family’s ongoing feud with older brother Brooklyn.

David and Victoria’s model son, 23, tried his hand at sumo wrestling while in Tokyo with DJ girlfriend Kim Turnbull, 24.

The couple visited the Tatsunami sumo wrestling stable for a bout.

At half his opponent’s size, Romeo easily lost — but still got stuck in.

The Tatsunami Instagram account shared the footage and said: “They were very friendly and chatted with the wrestlers.”

Romeo also shared the snaps online and said: “Didn’t stand a chance.”

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Last week the youngest Beckham brother Cruz  took to his TikTok to share a video of him and Romeo along with their girlfriends Jackie Apostel and Kim Turnball as they sat in a car together.

The camera panned to all of them as they mouthed the noise to an audio track.

He captioned the post: “Imagine hating and we’re just here like.”

The seemingly savage swipe comes after their brother Brooklyn broke his silence on the family feud with an explosive statement.

He accused his parents of trying to end his relationship with wife Nicola Peltz as well as “attempting to bribe” him to “sign away the rights to his name”.

He took particular aim at his mum for reportedly cancelling making his wife’s wedding dress in the eleventh hour and claimed she danced “inappropriately” on him on his wedding day.

Brooklyn denied claims by Romeo and Cruz that he had blocked them on Instagram — insisting it was the other way around.

LOLA Young is single and looking for love after returning to the stage from her career break.

The Londoner triumphed with the Best Pop Solo Performance Grammy on Sunday night for her No1 hit Messy — and she won over even more fans with an emotional performance of the song.

But I can reveal she has well and truly moved on from the subject matter, all about the end of a previous relationship, and has signed up to dating app Raya.

And she has overhauled her life by cutting out booze.

I’ve seen her profile on the high-end matchmaking app, which features a handful of sultry photos, as well as one of her performing, and is linked to her official Instagram account.

But she still has an air of mystery, choosing to leave the “bio” section of her profile blank. It’s a change from September, when she said she was too busy to date.

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However, it’s fair to say it’s been a period of a lot of changes for Lola.

She took a four-month break after collapsing on stage in September, and only returned to the spotlight at a pre-Grammys party at the end of last week.

Now she is sober, I’m told industry pals Lily Allen and Sir Elton John, who are also teetotal, have been offering their support.

Lola revealed she had ditched alcohol when asked how she would be celebrating following her Grammys success.

She said: “I am going to have an In-N-Out burger with my manager and everyone. And I’m probably going to go out a little bit.

“I don’t drink, but it’s going to be fun anyway.”

Last year, she revealed she had to check into rehab to tackle a cocaine addiction in 2024, just as Messy was rising up the charts.

Then on her song d£aler, released last summer, she sang about the struggle of “tryna be sober.”

Now it sounds like things are finally looking up for her — and she seems in great spirits.

Speaking about her break, Lola said: “This is a very difficult industry to be in.

I took the time out to get better because there were a lot of things going on in my head, in my personal life, and we constantly have to be protected as artists.

“I had to make the decision to do it for myself — to be kind to myself and give myself space.”

“But now I am back. I feel better.

“I will do as much as I can to be good for my fans and to be good for the people that love me.”

She’s got Teyst

Teyana Taylor was my best-dressed star of the night, and it’s fair to say she probably has the busiest awards season of anyone.

She wore this stunning, sculptural Tom Ford dress but sadly lost out on the Best R&B Album prize for her record Escape Room, with the gong going to Leon Thomas’s Mutt instead.

Still, Teyana will have plenty more wins I’m sure. The multi-talented performer is the favourite to win Best Supporting Actress at the Baftas and the Oscars – after winning the same prize at the Golden Globes – for her role in One Battle After Another.

She joined a load of stars hitting the town, with Justin Bieber spotted in an open hoodie, having earlier performed his song Yukon in just some silver silk boxers.

That wasn’t half as mad k as Lady Gaga performing with a black bird cage on her head though.

Kesha wore an over-the-top head-dress to greet fans, while Miley Cyrus looked chuffed to pose with Bad Bunny.

And Tate McRae, Olivia Rodrigo and Bruno Mars all looked super-stylish as they headed out to the afterparties.

Those celebrity stylists have been working overtime.

All the goss at The Grammys

Cher added some laughs to proceedings when announcing the Record of the Year winner, claiming it had gone to Luther Vandross, despite the fact he died 21 years ago.

She got confused when reading out who had won, claiming she thought the name would be on the autocue and she wouldn’t have to open the envelope on stage.

But when she did, she saw the title Luther and said the late singer’s name instead.

Thankfully, winners Kendrick Lamar and SZA, whose song Luther samples the soul star’s version of If This World Were Mine, put two and two together and realised they had won.

And that was a relief, because it was seven more seconds before Cher exclaimed: “No, Kendrick Lamar!”

Sabrina’s tough love

She left the ceremony empty handed despite six nominations, although Sabrina Carpenter still sent pulses soaring during a racy performance of her hit Manchild.

But any new admirers should take note, she has no qualms about spilling the beans on her love life in her music.

Speaking backstage, Sabrina, who wrote her last album Man’s Best Friend about her ex Barry Keoghan, said: “I love really hard. If you f*** with me, there will be consequences.

“I feel pretty transparent going into any of my relationships that I write songs and I think they’re just as down for it.

“Also, most of the time, they’ve been pretty flattered. When they get a song written about them, good or bad, I think they’re just excited to get a shout out.

“I’m not scared of men in that sense. I am scared of men sometimes, but I’m not scared in that sense.

“I will attract exactly who I’m supposed to attract. And again there’s so much conversation around women that are honest and strong and opinionated and determined, focused.”

Winner Tyla will ao A-POP

Tyla celebrated her second Grammy win by announcing her new album will be called A-POP.

She won Best African Music Performance for Push 2 Start, having won the same gong in 2024 for Water.

Speaking backstage, she said: “I wanna announce that my sophomore album drops this summer and it’s called A-POP.”

Asked what fans can expect, she said: “Amazing new music. It’s going to be different. It’s me now. I just grew up… I’m now 24, I feel like a woman.

“I’ve got other things I want to say and other vibes I want to give, so yeah, it’s definitely a different vibe but I’m so excited.”

Charli XCX is a self-proclaimed “365 Party Girl” so I can see why her post-event bash was one of the most star-studded of the evening.

The Saint Laurent-sponsored event took place at Bar Marmont in West Hollywood – the go-to venue for luxury brands – and boasted a guestlist including Demi Lovato, Paris Hilton, Diplo and Rose.

Not so clever, Trevor

Donald Trump has threatened to sue Grammy host Trevor Noah over his jokes about him at the bash.

Noah, inset, said: “Song of the Year – that is a Grammy that every artist wants almost as much as Trump wants Greenland, which makes sense because since Epstein’s gone, he needs a new island to hang out with Bill Clinton.”

Posting on Truth Social, Trump wrote: “Noah said, INCORRECTLY about me, that Donald Trump and Bill Clinton spent time on Epstein Island. WRONG!!!

“I can’t speak for Bill, but I have never been to Epstein Island, nor anywhere close, and until tonight’s false and defamatory statement, have never been accused of being there, not even by the Fake News Media.

“Noah, a total loser, better get his facts straight, and get them straight fast.

“Get ready Noah, I’m going to have some fun with you!” Here we go again . . .

VICTORIA Beckham was in the biggest girl group of all time but her son Cruz is taking inspiration from another brilliant British band for his debut album — The Beatles.

The budding musician’s close friend Luke Pritchard has unofficially helped guide the project thanks to years of experience in the industry, along with his ten UK Top Ten singles with his band The Kooks.

In an exclusive chat, Luke revealed Cruz was heavily influenced by the Fab Four’s ninth record, The White Album, which gave us iconic songs including Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da and Blackbird.

“He’s brilliant. He’s got all the right things,” Luke told me at the Iconic Images Gallery in London, where we were invited to celebrate a new exhibition of The Cure ahead of their headline slot at Isle of Wight Festival.

“I think he’s a rockstar, I really do.

“It’s got a kind of White Album psychedelia sound, with warm tones.

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“I think he’s a great guitar player – it’s kind of what I want to hear in my head.”

In March, Cruz took to social media to tease a self-penned track inspired by his love for The Beatles.

In the short clip, he sang: “I wanna be John Lennon.”

Last week, as the showbiz world imploded thanks to his brother Brooklyn’s bombshell statement hammering his family, Cruz was locked away in a north London studio putting the finishing touches to the record.

As speculation about the family rift circulated the globe, Cruz took to Instagram to reshare a shot from the studio with the words “Loneliest Boy” along the top of a song sheet, leading some fans to wonder if it will be about his estranged brother.

Luke, who has released a new live version of The Kooks’s 2014 song See Me Now today, explained: “We were actually in the studio with him.

“His album sounds so good, so authentic. It’s really refreshing.

“You know, he’s recording everything completely authentically and trying to pick up that magic to some parts. I think that’s amazing.”

And he is determined to prove himself as an artist in his own right, breaking free from the nepo baby label.

Luke continued: “He’s the real deal. He wants to do things properly and he wants to gather his fan base the right way and he wants to go out and just play. It’s been a mad few days for him.”

Cruz has sold out his first headline show in London in March and has announced a UK tour with his band The Breakers which went on sale on Friday.

As well as their own tour this year, The Kooks are performing at Isle of Wight Festival alongside The Cure, Calvin Harris and Lewis Capaldi.

THERE’S a forgotten utopia among the 200+ Greek islands crying out for Brits to come and enjoy its untouched beaches, mouth-watering gyros and beers aplenty.

Karpathos may be the 15th largest Greek island but the population is only about 6,500, so it flies relatively under the radar — a paradise for off-grid explorers.

You’ll spot mainly Italian and Dutch tourists, although the majority of hotel and restaurant staff speak perfect English.

And they are thrilled to have us here, unlike some destinations where anti-tourist protests are in full force.

“We love the Brits, we want the Brits,” one restaurant owner told us.

Perhaps the reason it remains so off-grid is the long journey there.

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Although Karpathos has an airport, there are no direct flights from the UK, which leaves only two options: flying in via Athens, or jetting into Rhodes and taking a ferry.

We opted for the latter, hopping on a smooth easyJet flight from Gatwick for our first leg before whizzing over by boat.

If the journey sounds too hellish to do in one, you can break it up into stages.

It was my first time visiting Greece and I wanted to see some of Rhodes, so we stayed one night in the main hub before moving on to Karpathos.

Rhodes is undeniably beautiful and has lots to offer but in my short time there I couldn’t help noticing how samey it felt.

Tourist-trap shops, restaurants that want to get you in and out fast and a bit too heavy on the drunken booze scene.

Karpathos is relaxed and uncrowded — and we were grateful for it

Karpathos, by comparison, is relaxed and uncrowded — and we were grateful for it.

The boat trip takes four hours with Blue Star Ferries, stopping at a couple of other islands on the way. But we didn’t mind soaking up the blue skies and seeing the sights as we went.

Karpathos’s main town centre, Pigadia, is where most of the action happens, with a number of family restaurants, bars and shops, all of which are easily walkable.

But to get the most out of the island you’ll want to hire a car. Just beware of the winding roads!

Karpathos may not boast a lively nightlife, but what it does have is a gobsmackingly gorgeous selection of beaches.

There are more than 110 to discover — some of the smaller ones don’t even have names.

We arrived at a tiny hidden one with the sort of crystal clear waters I’ve only ever seen in Hawaii

And you can quite easily stumble across a beach and have it completely to yourselves.

We arrived at a tiny hidden one with the sort of crystal clear waters I’ve only ever seen in Hawaii.

Another five-minute drive down the road and you’ll come across another, then another.

Some of the sandy beaches are flanked by restaurants and places to grab a beer, like Lefkos and Limniatis, while most of the pebble shores tend to be deserted.

Take your pick, the world is very much your oyster here.

It’s hard to choose a favourite among the dozen we visited but Achata Beach wins.

I love how it’s swallowed by mountains and has hardly anything surrounding it.

You can rent a lounger for 20 euros and there’s a bar serving food and drinks straight to loungers.

Away from the sunloungers, there is a range of coastal activities for all the family, dotted along the island.

We took a windsurfing lesson one day, guided by patient surfing pros. Another day we embarked on a bumpy motorboat trip, which took us to the uninhibited Saria Island, to the north of Karpathos.

Women in charge

As well as seeing the beautifully remote landscapes, we snorkelled through a cave soaking up the sight of colourful fish in the most breathtaking setting.

For those seeking more culture, the mountain village of Olympus is a must, with narrow paths and old houses built into slopes.

You’ll see women dressed in traditional embroidered clothing — and this is one of the rare places in the world where women are traditionally in charge.

Go to Olympus in the later part of the day to avoid the surge of visitors and you’ll get one of the best unobstructed views of the sunset ever.

And what goes perfectly with sunsets? Sundowners. I’ve never been more satisfied, in terms of choice, quality and price when it comes to drinks and dining.

Restaurants are largely family-run establishments bursting with genuinely friendly people desperate for you to try some traditional grub. And meals cost far less than in a chain eatery in the UK.

You can stick to the familiar burgers and pasta, but if you’re looking for a local speciality I highly recommend the saganaki, a slab of cheese pan-fried, giving it a golden-brown crispy crust.

My favourite came from the Maxim family restaurant.

Zucchini croquettes were another top pick; Orea restaurant does them best.

Oh, and did I mention the tiropitakia — feta cheese wrapped in a flaky pastry drizzled with honey? I could go on.

Best of all, everything is made with sharing in mind so you don’t have to miss out on anything.

As for drink, don’t be surprised if the owner comes to have a shot of Akai with you at your table.

But for something a bit softer there’s beer and Greek lager such as Mythos for only a few euros.

Maybe Karpathos has more of a party atmosphere than it first let on . . . 

FROM the Italian Grand Prix to Fashion Week, the city of Milan is popular with the rich and famous.

Yet it has a much more affordable side, such as three-night easyJet city break packages from £220pp.

Here’s how to easily spend a long weekend in the Italian hotspot . . . 

WHY SHOULD I GO?

Milan is set to be even more popular in 2026 as it is co-hosting the Winter Olympics from February 6-22.

A new 16,000-seat multi-use arena has been built in the Santa Giulia district to host the ice hockey, and Mariah Carey will entertain at the opening ceremony in the San Siro Stadium, home of Inter Milan.

But whatever time of year, it is one of the most affordable destinations to jet to from the UK, with flights often found for less than £17.

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Foodies can rejoice too — it’s hard to find somewhere bad to eat, especially with its famous dishes such as Milanese risotto and panettone.

STREETS MADE FOR WALKING?

With its blend of Gothic architecture and modern, cosmopolitan design, the city is one of Europe’s most walkable and the streets are worth a relaxed stroll even with no aim in sight.

The cobblestone ones of the Brera neighbourhood are particularly charming.

Of course, if you want to get around there are trams as well as a vast metro system.

Skip the taxis as you can expect to pay high costs for short journeys.

Instead, hop on one of the many bikes and scooters you can rent, found on most corners — if you’re brave enough to join the road with Italian drivers.

ANYTHING FOR THE BUCKET LIST?

Milan’s Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is one of the world’s oldest shopping centres.

Dating back to 1877, the stunning piece of history is now lined with designer stores and well worth walking through.

If you want some good luck, legend has it you should find the bull on the floor and spin around on it three times.

Just outside is the Gothic masterpiece, Duomo di Milano, one of the world’s largest Catholic churches.

Built of white-pink marble, it features 135 spires and more than 4,000 statues.

WHERE SHOULD I EAT?

Despite being the home of the Milanese saffron risotto, you can barely walk for pizza joints.

Head to Pizza AM for crazy artwork and massive spicy pizzas that come with a free prosecco.

You’ll have to squeeze in as it’s loved by both families and groups of friends, but the bustle just makes it all that more of a vibe.

For something fun to go, try Ghe Sem Monti right by the main train station.

With a fusion of Asian dim sum and classic Italian flavours, I couldn’t pick my favourite from the cacio e pepe dumplings to the ­carbonara buns.

I FANCY A DRINK!

One of the best, local-loved bars is on a side street off the Navigli canal, a popular neighbourhood for dining.

It doesn’t look like much from the outside, but inside you’ll find mismatching pieces of artwork along with bottles of alcohol towering up the walls and a rude lucky cat.

The staff are happy to help you choose a wine with tasters, from reds and whites to rosés and oranges from all across Spain.

Interior fans should try Bar Luce, designed by filmmaker Wes Anderson.

Grab a glass of Prosecco while taking in the pastel pink and blue interiors, before a game on one of the retro pinball machines.

WHERE SHOULD I STAY?

A short tram ride from the city centre, Hotel Nasco feels pure Italian: Faux ­marble bathrooms, tiny lifts to the top floor and complimentary Aperol in the room.

Its location in relation to both the attractions and the train station makes it a great base.

Breakfast, in the basement of the building, is a simple affair, but has all of the hot and cold classics, from pastries and fruit to a selection of English Breakfast options.

Just remember to bring ear plugs — like lots of Italian buildings, the walls are slightly thin.

TRIPLE Grammy nominee Yungblud has blasted the Brits for being “out of touch” after he was snubbed by his home country’s music awards.

The Doncaster rocker is up for Best Rock Performance category for his powerful rendition of Changes at the late Ozzy Osbourne’s Back To The Beginning concert last summer.

And he will wear the necklace given to him by his Black Sabbath idol, who died last year, at tonight’s ceremony in LA, where he is also up for two other Grammys.

Yet despite accolades Stateside, and two UK No1 albums last year, he says it feels “weird” to be a notable omission at this month’s Brits.

He told me: “I just think with the Brits, there’s something more corporate afoot. I feel like I’ve not kissed the babies in my own country that I should — I’ve done it my way.

“And I think someone’s pissed off at me for that. The beautiful thing about the Grammys is it’s voted for by your peers — musicians and artists.

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“The Brits, you can tell it’s been done in a boardroom by a committee that’s out of touch. That’s a lot of the British music industry.

“But I’m vibing, man — I’m at the Grammys!”

And Yungblud — real name Dominic Harrison — vows to the keep celebrations rock ’n’ roll — having VOMMED from partying so hard during a pre-Grammys night out with Sharon Osbourne and Lewis Capaldi.

He and Lewis “had a mad one”.

Yungblud said: “We had an accidentally brilliant night. I threw up!

“Everyone’s full of s***. Me and Lewis always find each other at a party, to talk about something half-normal.

“There’s so many parties  . . . you end up going for two minutes, and everyone looks shell-shocked.

“So we end up throwing our own. We had such a good night. Sharon came out. Lewis came out.”

Yungblud jokes he is “clearing room in my suitcase” for potential Grammy trophies, though any wins would be bittersweet without Ozzy.

He said: “It’s wild when you love someone. You idolise someone.

“And then you get to know them, then you perform this song to honour them and it gets Grammy-nominated.

“It’s weird to comprehend.”

YUNGBLUD is throwing his own “riot” of a Grammys afterparty at Sunset Strip’s Rainbow Bar and Grill – famed for hosting wild bashes with the likes of Led Zeppelin and Motley Crue.

He says: “It will be a f***ing free-for-all, with pizza and beer, doing bumps of caviar.”

The rocker, who stripped naked on a yacht in Sydney, Australia, while touring last year, insists: “I’m not really sick. I’m usually alright. I’ll probably end up naked – but I won’t be sick.”

STARS DRESSED TO FRILL

SOME of the biggest names in music gathered in LA to let their hair down for some pre-Grammys partying on Friday.

Singer Kesha bloomed in giant flowers at the 2026 MusiCares Person of the Year gala, while Cara Delevingne showed off new brunette locks at the Warner soiree.

Addison Rae gave a raunchy performance in just her undies at Spotify’s 2026 Best New Artist Party, where she was joined by nominated Brit Olivia Dean in a checked blue floor-length gown.

Meanwhile, Swedish siren Zara Larsson wore hot pink for the Epic Records and Hennessy bash.

I’m glad it was warmer in Cali than it was on this side of the pond . . . 

NATHAN’S EYE ON BALL

NATHAN EVANS hopes to score Scotland’s official World Cup anthem – and will be joining the Tartan Army in the US.

The Wellerman singer and band Saint Phnx are also in discussions about cheering the lads on during training sessions, after Ed Sheeran performed for the England team during the 2024 Euros.

One of the ideas is to rework their track Home with lyrics cheering on the Scots squad, and Nathan would love it to become the official supporters’ tune this summer.

He said: “We’ve got something cooking that hopefully we can pull off. And if we do, it’ll be something massive.”

AITCH’S AMBER NIGHT

RAPPER Aitch wooed a stunning podcaster nearly 15 years his senior – just weeks before stealing the nation’s hearts on I’m A Celebrity.

I’m told the 26-year-old locked lips with Francesca Amber, 40, at the Pride of Britain Awards in London last October, after the pair hit it off at the free bar.

Aitch was seen cracking jokes with the blonde, who believes in “manifesting” the life you want.

An onlooker said: “Aitch is a bit younger, but didn’t lack confidence. They were having a right giggle and, by the end of the evening, they were kissing in front of everyone. They exchanged numbers.”

Single mum-of-three Francesca has told listeners she dreams of going on E4 dating show Celebs Go Dating. I hope this helps manifest it for her . . . 

TEDDY IS READY TO RAYA

VOCAL powerhouse Teddy Swims is looking for love online after sadly splitting from his baby momma.

The Bad Dreams singer broke up with singer Raiche Wright late last year.

But now Teddy – who last year released the final part of his album series I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy – is putting his best foot forward and getting himself out there with a profile on A-list dating app Raya.

The singer – born Jaten Dimsdale – posted a series of snaps showing off his tattoos and dapper style, advertising the fact he is based in Sherman Oaks, California.

He, fittingly, uses his own music to illustrate his profile.

Happy swiping . . . 

IT MUTT BE LOVE FOR DUA

THE City of Love is the only place for Dua Lipa and fiancé Callum Turner as they put on a smoochy display.

The smitten singer and actor were snapped holding hands while walking Callum’s beloved Labrador-Rottweiler mix Golo in Paris.

An onlooker said: “They were completely loved up and kept kissing, it was very sweet.

“Golo the pooch is like their child and travels with them everywhere.”

Speaking several years ago, Callum confessed that his beloved pet helped to keep him grounded.

He said: “I have a dog, yeah. He keeps me very humble.

“You know, picking up his poo every day keeps you humble.”

That’ll certainly do the trick . . . 

OZZY SINGS TO MY KID

I’M A Celebrity star Jack Osbourne has revealed his late dad Ozzy is singing lullabies from beyond the grave.

Jack’s three-year-old daughter Maple has told him that the Black Sabbath rocker visits her when she’s tucked up in bed and sings to her.

Jack said: “My youngest daughter has been having a lot of ‘interactions’, shall we say. She’s three – she keeps saying, ‘He sings to me at night.’ I’m like, ‘That’s awesome, what’s he singing to you?’

“I don’t make a big deal about it. I’m supportive of it, I’m instantly like, they’re kids, they have imaginations and stuff.

“But she’s saying things and I’m like, ‘How do you know that? We haven’t been saying things – where does that come from?’”

Speaking on the Howie Mandel podcast, Jack added: “For her, the more she brings it up, it’s becoming a thing and I think that it’s not just her imagination.”

Hopefully he’s not Paranoid . . . 

RUSH ON FOR PERFECT 10

BOYBAND mania is set to hit London today as December 10 arrive to meet their fans.

I’m told police are on standby amid fears the signing event could turn into a riot, after 6,000 fans of the group, above – assembled by Simon Cowell – put their names down to attend.

An insider said: “There are concerns that over-excited kids will still rock up – even though only a tiny fraction will actually be allowed to get inside.

“Organisers swear they’ve got it all under control and are working closely with the Old Bill, promising a safe and sensible do.”

It’s like the One Direction days all over again . . . 

SYDNEY Sweeney has told how her first bra inspired her new lingerie range.

The Housemaid actress, 28, revealed she was a 32DD at 12.

She told Cosmopolitan: “I remember going to the store to get my first wire bra.

“It was silk and the only bra I felt good in.

“I literally wore it to the point that it had holes in it.”

Her new SYRN range include bras up to size 42DDD.

Sydney said she still had her first bra, adding: “It has stood by my side my entire life.

“I want to make bras that stay with women.”

Sydney last week unveiled her SYRN range with a raunchy campaign.

Sweeney is said to be currently dating US music executive Scooter Braun, 44.

NINETIES classic Cotton Eye Joe blasts out of the speakers as my kids Poppy, six, and Raffy, four, attempt their first ever ski tricks on the “Indian piste”, gliding past cartoon figures and over obstacles like they’ve been skiing for years.

In fact, it’s only their second day. 

And I’ve got Stacey Solomon to thank for this golden memory.

It’s been nine years since I last wore a pair of skis, but watching Stacey and her gang hitting the mountains in BBC1’s Stacey & Joe made me crave a family ski experience.

So we’re on a four-night break with Ski Weekends, in the buzzing French village of Les Gets.

Chalet Girl

Newly spruced-up Chalet Marjorie, with its alpine decor, makes for a brilliant base, just five minutes’ walk from the ski lifts and a 70-minute drive from Geneva airport.

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With table football, a dinky hammam and a large hot tub, we have everything we need post-ski.

The kids share a bunk-bed room, husband Andy and I cosy up in a double, and there’s a piping-hot power shower for our aching muscles.

Each afternoon, showstopper cakes baked by sous-chef Emily welcome us home, while chef Markus rustles up an early kids’ tea, before presenting three courses of treats such as cheesy tartiflette, duck à l’orange and brioche pud for the grown-ups.

Conversation (and wine) flow between guests – this chalet sleeps up to 42 – and sharing stories of skiing triumphs and life’s adversities at the end of the day is special.

We hire boots and skis from Désiré Sport, just seconds from the gondola.

Staff here help the children each morning with huge smiles, and welcome us back each evening with mulled wine.

After two lessons with the lovely (and incredibly patient) Guglielmo, an Italian ski instructor from Maison Sport, the kids are confident enough to join us even higher up the mountain.

Riding the chairlift up above the clouds in prep to race down a stunning tree-lined run together, my heart swells with pride.

These children, who are usually first to complain back home that their legs are tired or that they’re cold, are lapping up every moment in this incredible landscape.

But while Les Gets is part of the mega Portes du Soleil ski area – home to more than 600km of pistes – we’re very happy to take things easy, grabbing cream-laden hot chocolates, £4.50, from Télébar du Mont Blanc, and spending afternoons enjoying the snow in so many other ways.

Sister Sledge

Handily, L’Aprèski Bar sits at the bottom of the slopes and serves up a stonkingly good soundtrack and cracking cocktails next to one of the resort’s sledging spots.

So, as Poppy and Raffy race each other down on sledges borrowed from the chalet, Andy and I toast them with an Aperol Spritz, £10.50 (Bellevue-lesgets.com).

Another afternoon, we stop by the 1.1km-long 4 Season Alpine Coaster, which can hit speeds of almost 25mph.

Opened less than two years ago, it’s ridiculously good fun and the kids beg to ride it again immediately.

Rides cost £8 per sledge (Lesgets.com).

Lungs full of alpine air and kids full of a new kind of confidence, we’ve all adored exploring the mountain and celebrating each other’s wins.

Give me family adventures in Mother Nature’s playground over a theme park any day.

PATSY KENSIT has told how she had an affair at 23 with Sixties acting icon Terence Stamp – 30 years her senior.

The unlikely relationship was sparked while they were filming 1991 crime thriller Prince Of Shadows in Madrid.

Actress and former rock chick Patsy, 57, who has more recently appeared in EastEnders and Death In Paradise, recalled: “I had a lost few months with Terence when I was very young, but it was all a dream and he was the perfect gentleman.”

Oscar-nominated Terence, star of the original Superman movies and an accomplished author, died in LA last year aged 87.

Patsy said in an exclusive interview with The Sun on Sunday: “I first met him at a dinner party in Chelsea through a girlfriend. I was sitting next to him on the table plan and had read all of his books, The Stamp Collection Cookbook.  He was such a great writer, so I was a bit of a superfan.”

She added: “He was probably the most beautiful man I’d ever seen.”

Weeks later, Patsy signed up to play beautiful prostitute Rebeca in the Spanish movie and she suggested Terence to appear opposite her as hero Darman.

He had been making his first attempt at directing a film, but after three weeks it was abandoned with a loss of $5million, so the Spanish project marked his return to acting.

Patsy recalled: “I was offered this film in Spain and the director had wanted Anthony Hopkins to play opposite me, but he was busy, so I mentioned Terence and they jumped at the chance.

‘Little monkey’

“So as soon as we knew we were going to do the movie together, he took me to a fish restaurant called Greens and he had the most beautiful eyes, stunning blue.

“On location, our friendship grew stronger and more intense.

“We had several love scenes in the film — shooting them is never sexy, but having said that, it can feel intimate.

“The food was fantastic in Madrid and, after filming, he’d take me to little restaurants he found. We had a very strong connection immediately, and spent a lot of time together.

“He told stories about Julie Christie [his co-star in 1967’s Far From The Madding Crowd] and was nominated for an Oscar for his role in Billy Budd, which was his breakthrough.

“He knew Michael Caine. I was born the year of the monkey and he always used to say to me, ‘You’re such a little monkey, Patsy’. He was so old-school and a forgotten era.

“We were star-crossed lovers and he was a total gentleman. Even though there was an age gap, we had a strong bond. He was an amazing and generous lover.”

Terence loved to write, and sent Patsy dozens of love notes, as well as regularly writing to her mum Margaret, who joined her on set during filming.

Patsy said: “He used to write me these wonderful love letters about lucid dreams he had.

We were star-crossed lovers and he was a total gentleman. Even though there was an age gap, we had a strong bond. He was an amazing and generous lover

Patsy Kensit

“His handwriting was like art. I’ve still got them in storage, I couldn’t bear to part with them.

“He was really ahead of the game with modern medicine and homeopathy and my mum was dying of cancer at the time. When she died, I discovered all these letters he had been writing to her. They were in regular correspondence and he was encouraging her to take all these supplements and eat certain foods.”

Back in London, Patsy and Terence carried on dating. She said: “He was living in Piccadilly, in an incredible apartment with a roaring fireplace and a big, beautiful kitchen.

“The doorman would let me in — he had a twinkle in his eye and would say, ‘Are you here to see Mr Stamp?’. I imagine he had many visitors. Terence took me to restaurants and museums.

“It was a lost few months in my life and a beautiful time.”

Then Patsy had to leave London for Los Angeles to film 1991 sci-fi film Timebomb, and she ended their brief fling.

She said: “And suddenly, it was over. I was young and stupid.”

Ironically, Patsy — who has been married four times — first met her second husband, Simple Minds singer Jim Kerr, in Madrid while she was filming with Terence. They married in 1992 and had a son, James.

She recalled: “We were filming at the Palace Hotel and we were shooting in a corridor.

“We heard this strong Scottish accent saying, ‘I need to get out of my room, I can’t wait’, and it was Jim Kerr.

“And he looked at me and went, ‘Oh hello’, at which point Terence walked back into the bedroom.

“At the end of the day, an assistant appeared with a note from Jim saying, ‘If you’re ever in Scotland, I’ll happily show you the mountains’. Eventually I did, and it led to a marriage and a baby.”

The doorman would let me in — he had a twinkle in his eye and would say, ‘Are you here to see Mr Stamp?’. I imagine he had many visitors. Terence took me to restaurants and museums

Patsy Kensit

Patsy, who also has son Lennon with ex-husband Liam Gallagher, is writing an autobiography — and has plenty of material.

Her dad Jimmy, a sharp dresser who drove an Aston Martin, was an associate of the Kray brothers, and her glamorous mum Margaret acted as a chaperone to Patsy, who began her career as a child actress.

She appeared with Robert Redford and Mia Farrow in The Great Gatsby in 1974, and she and her mum often hung out with Elizabeth Taylor when Patsy played her daughter in 1976’s The Blue Bird.

Elizabeth would cook spaghetti for Patsy and her mum, and let the six-year-old play catch with her Krupp diamond, given to her by husband Richard Burton.

Recalling working with Robert Redford, who died last year, Patsy said: “I was only four and a half, but I remember it all so clearly.

“He was a handsome, tall, blond man and whenever he walked on to the set, all the women would get giggly, including my mum.

“I remember being driven to Pinewood in a Rolls-Royce to get fitted in Ralph Lauren costumes for the movie. It was another world.”

I’VE found the Loch Ness monster. Big and green, she’s a lot fluffier than I was expecting, plus the marathon bib on her front surprised me a little.

OK, I obviously didn’t find Nessy but I gave it a go – running the Baxters Loch Ness Marathon’s shorter 10k race last autumn.

And I’m sure Nessie had stuck her head out of the loch at some point, mystified but impressed by the 11,000 runners taking part in the marathon as well as the 10k and other shorter races on a gorgeous Sunday morning.

The scenery in Scotland is stunning and that’s one of the main draws for this event.

We were lucky enough to be greeted by autumnal blue skies.

‘Nessie’s hungry’

And as I flew down the road with hundreds of other brightly coloured runners, the Scottish humour kept me going.

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“Faster! Nessie is hungry,” one sign read.

“Pain is temporary, Strava is for ever,” another declared.

The kilometres ticked by and soon I found myself hurtling down the home stretch, with masses of Scots cheering on the red-faced runners.

Crossing the finish line, I was handed a tote bag of goodies including a tin of Baxters soup – one of the perks of having the famous brand sponsor the event.

Plus, there was a medal, which is always a good reason to take part in a run while on holiday.

I stayed around and cheered as thousands of other runners made their way over the finish line.

A course record for the full marathon had been set in an impressive two hours and 15 minutes.

Inverness is just a 40-minute bus ride from Urquhart Castle, on the shore of Loch Ness

But I was not just there to watch hundreds of puffing men and women throw themselves across the finish line.

Inverness is just a 40-minute bus ride from Urquhart Castle, on the shore of Loch Ness and, after a shower, I headed off to explore.

The castle ruins hold hundreds of years of history and thanks to a tour guide, I learned how the castle’s medieval lords kept their foes at bay and how, in 562AD, St Columba saved a man from a “water beast” that rose from the depths, in what is widely considered to be the first recorded “sighting” of Nessie.

But legend aside, a young boy on the tour also turned to me and very seriously declared he had spotted Nessie earlier in the year.

Using his hands, he showed how it bobbed up and down in the water, leaving him with no doubt he was just metres from the mythical beast.

Also, if you’re not into running, there’s always cycling. Etape Loch Ness is Scotland’s largest closed-road cycle sportive.

Its riders tackle a 66-mile loop around Loch Ness, starting and finishing in Inverness.

But the 10km run was enough for me.

As I boarded the bus back to Inverness, medal around my neck and legs still buzzing, I knew I’d be back.

Maybe, this year, Nessie will make an appearance.

AH, Ibiza. Those heady days of raving until dawn, no kids, and a lot of cocktails.

Take. Me. Back.

Well actually, two kids, slightly less dancing and a few less Espresso Martinis later, Tui might just have done it.

We’d tried once before, when our daughters were three and six, with less success, but with Lyla and Martha now 10 and 12, could we have finally hit the sweet spot?

Tui’s Holiday Village Seaview Ibiza is designed for kids, there’s no doubt about it.

With the busiest entertainment, sports and club programme I’ve ever come across, there’s literally about one hour in the day (after breakfast, before 10am) that they’re not catered for.

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Along with an onsite water park, three pools, snooker tables, an aerial walk, table tennis, arcades, paddle boarding and kayaking, there are also kids’ clubs, and stage, swimming and football academies.

There’s plenty of daytime fun and free games around the resort, too.

And all that is before an entire evening of child-friendly entertainment that begins as the pools close at 6pm.

In fact, it’s so busy, there’s a whole app devoted to the hotel, where you can book slots in advance for anything and everything your children could want to do on holiday.

As you squinted in the sunshine from your sunlounger (which, happily, the resort doesn’t let you reserve with your towel until after 8am) it was almost like watching a group of excitable Oompa Loompas rushing around Willy Wonka’s factory.

But instead of chocolate, they were squealing about the variety of fun they could have.

Although, it’s worth pointing out that as part of the all-inclusive, you can help yourself to free ice creams and afternoon cakes — so it pretty much is like Wonka’s factory.

Children zoomed around the resort, which is like a mini city — and because it felt so safe, my girls could dash between pools and the snack bar unaccompanied, while my husband David and I watched from the loungers.

We had to accompany the girls to the waterpark until we decided that as they were such good swimmers, and there were almost as many lifeguards as kids, we didn’t need to.

‘But what about the adults?’ I selfishly asked myself as we arrived, and I saw what the girls had in store.

Well, that’s exactly where Tui has played its trump card.

Favourite nights ever

Research conducted last year found that 60 per cent of parents miss their child-free clubbing days (like me) and regularly relive them with family kitchen discos (yes I do).

Inspired by this, Holiday Villages called on the youngest ever DJ duo — the brilliantly named Half Punk — to grace the island and give families enjoying their first summer holiday weekend a night to remember.

When I heard that the pair were 12 and 10, I wondered if they were actually going to DJ or just play at it.

But lo and behold. To mark 25 years since their namesakes Daft Punk released One More Time, the two properly mixed.

I’m not sure the hordes of children standing staring at the front fully embraced the old-school house music blaring out by the two helmeted youngsters — but the parents certainly did.

Eyes shut in ecstasy and arms were held aloft as confetti cannons blasted, glow sticks shimmered and the bass speakers reverberated around the resort.

You could instantly spot the old ravers who had allowed themselves to be taken back to those carefree days of thumping tunes and dancing like no one was watching.

And then after, a silent disco got all the youngsters involved again — wide-eyed at the adults belting out chart-toppers and throwing shapes like loons.

I’m not sure there’s anything better than properly dancing with your children on a dancefloor — and as we finally sank into our beds, we all decided it had been one of our favourite nights abroad ever.

And don’t think the fun stopped there. We also managed to get up the energy for a Neon Nights disco and an Ibiza Sunset dance while we were there.

The resort is right next to the beautiful sandy Port Des Torrent beach — with ­pedalos for hire and tavernas to relax in while watching the fabulous Ibiza sunsets.

We were lucky enough to get invited on a Meet The Sea boat trip, which aims to educate kids about the oceans.

Having sailed out to just off an uninhabited island, you snorkel with a marine specialist, who teaches you why the sea is nothing to be scared of.

He’ll even pick up sea anemones and cucumbers from the sea bed and let you hold them, while back on board the chef cooks paella. It’s a truly magical experience.

Plus, you’re just across the bay from San Antonio, so if you do feel the urge for nightclubs, you’re literally a bus ride away.

The hotel’s buffet restaurant was also ­perfect for the pickiest of eaters, with every kind of food a child could possibly ask for, and theme nights as well, so it didn’t get too samey.

You also get two free meals per week at the speciality restaurants, with Italian, American and grill options.

And as for the reps, I’m not sure I’ve ever seen anyone more smiley and enthusiastic, even as they did the dance routine to Bruno Mars’ APT for the 19th time that day.

Like Butlins on steroids, I knew Tui had hit its mark when our eldest daughter, without any word of a lie, turned to me and said: “This is better than the Maldives.”

LIVING in rainy Britain, I’m not usually keen on cold- weather holiday destinations – but Copenhagen is an exception.

The autumn and winter months are where the Danish capital thrives.

Locals and tourists embrace the season, snuggling up by outdoor fires and sipping on hot chocolate or spiced Gløgg — the Scandinavian version of mulled wine.

Even in the bitter winter, Danes continue dining al fresco and sipping pints of Carlsberg, which was first brewed here in 1847.

In fact, making the most of the winter sunshine, crisp air and creating a comfy atmosphere has been factored into the way the Danish like to live, the concept of “hygge”.

Pronounced “hoo-gah”, it doesn’t have a direct translation but loosely, it is a quality of cosiness that leads to contentment and wellbeing.

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It undoubtedly forms part of the reason why Copenhagen was voted the World’s Happiest City for 2025 in the World Happy Index.

I certainly saw a lot of smiling faces as I wandered the streets.

There is even a Happiness Museum where you can learn how Copenhagen is leading the charge when it comes to cheerful citizens.

My favourite bit was the hallway of sticky notes where visitors are encouraged to write down what makes them happy, listing everything from meaningful anecdotes about friends and family to simple pleasures like cinnamon rolls and coffee.

Shopping counts as one of those simple pleasures for me and luckily, there is plenty of that here.

I suggest the Stroget district, which has all sorts of stores from luxury brands like Ganni and Gucci to ­budget-friendly alternatives.

Food is big on the happiness scale, too, and when it comes to eating in Copenhagen, you’re spoilt for choice – especially with Danish pastries.

There are around 140 bakeries on the corners of the main shopping streets and tucked away in alleyways.

Holms Bager is a great spot to try a sticky and sweet cinnamon bun with crunchy sugar pieces.

But Buka, a bakery that opened in 2019, immediately tempted me inside with its window display of pistachio-filled croissants and cream tarts.

I opted for Danish specialty Tebirkes – a brioche bun filled with rich remonce (spiced sugar paste), brushed with almond glaze and topped with poppy seeds. Delicious.

As for savoury dishes, Smorrebrod (essentially an open sandwich on rye bread) is served almost everywhere with toppings varying from prawns to pate and pickled herring.

Famous landmarks

With little time left and much of the city still to see, I headed out on a canal tour, booked through Tui as an added extra to my package break.

The tour started in the city centre and took me around the waterways to the likes of Paper Island – a new urban quarter, which is home to the most ex­pen­­sive penthouse ever sold in the city.

I saw CopenHill, the huge Opera House and went through Christianshavn before stopping by The Little Mermaid statue — although sadly, you only see the back of her from the boat.

If you want the best view, sit on the left-hand side as you board.

Not only did the tour offer me a chance to get out on the water, but I saw almost all of Copenhagen’s most famous landmarks in just one hour.

That’s the other beauty of a package getaway like my Tui one – the organisational faff is kept to a minimum with all the essentials sorted for you.

That meant less time planning and more time exploring.

I had booked a room at the well- located Admiral Hotel Copenhagen, a former grain warehouse across the water from the Opera House.

The homely, loft-style set-up featured a little living area, plus a bathroom and a mezzanine level where my double bed sat below a skylight.

The hotel is just minutes from the postcard-perfect Nyhavn – a bright district with tall colourful houses sat right on the waterfront where boat bars bob on the water.

In the evenings, fairy lights zigzag above the cobbled streets and it’s a great spot to stop for a cocktail or warming Glogg if you prefer.

The art of hygge isn’t so hard to practise when you’re in Copenhagen.

VICTORIA and Nicola clashed again this week – but for once it wasn’t with each other. 

The pair released brand new modelling shoots on exactly the same day as they made a bid to put Brooklyn’s statement behind them. 

Nicola has been signed up as the face of Italian fashion brand Genny to front their new Spring/Summer 2026 collection. 

As well as a pink trouser suit, Nicola wore a number of elaborate, colourful gowns for the brand.

Victoria meanwhile launched her debut eyewear range on the same day. 

She posed up in a pair of her own frames and said: “I wanted strong, instantly recognisable silhouettes that felt effortless to wear, so the focus for this collection was really on refining shape and proportion.” 

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It came just one day after David signed a huge 20-year deal for creating fragrances. 

He entered a new agreement with Interparfums, Inc to make scents under his brand. 

David said: “Together with their world-leading team, we will create products that are distinctive and timeless. I can’t wait to get started.” 

The family feud exploded after Brooklyn accused mum Victoria of ruining his wedding by dancing “inappropriately on me in front of everyone”.

Brooklyn, who wed actress Nicola Peltz in April 2022, said: “I’ve never felt more uncomfortable or humiliated in my entire life.”

The aspiring chef, 26, shared a furious tirade on Instagram in a move to defend his wife Nicola, and himself, amid the bitter family feud.

In six blistering posts on his Instagram stories, he claimed dad David and Victoria have been trying to “endlessly ruin my relationship” with Nicola.

FORMER glamour model Katie Price’s new husband has challenged her cage fighter ex to a mixed martial arts match for criticising her whirlwind wedding. 

Lee Andrews, 41, wants to take on Alex Reid, 50, in a one-on-one because he called her latest marriage irresponsible. 

The businessman goaded Reid as he told The Sun he wanted to fight him “anytime, anywhere” in Britain, Dubai or Abu Dhabi. 

He also said he had spoken with Katie about the challenge only briefly, but insisted: “We do support each other.” 

Lee — dubbed a “Walter Mitty” over his long list of outlandish or untrue claims including that he is Director of Philanthropy at The Prince’s Trust — confidently claimed he had his own experience in sparring, partial boxing and “elite fitness”. 

He said he wanted it to be on an Ultimate Fighting Championship five-round match setting and said proceeds would go towards supporting mum-of-five Katie and charity. 

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It comes after Reid, who was Katie’s second husband, made his feelings plain over her fourth wedding.

He said: “It’s irresponsible on your family and the children to marry someone you don’t know.” Reid added: “I genuinely wish the man good luck marrying her. 

“I hope the marriage lasts longer than the court-ordered debts that she still owes me and to many others, demonstrating accountability and responsibility. 

“It’s not really her strong point. Maybe, he could be the best thing in the world to happen to her. 

“He could help her pay her debts and be accountable with money.”  

Former cross-dresser Reid, who divorced Katie in 2012 after a two-year marriage, was a professional in mixed martial arts from 2000. 

Lee and Katie, 47, got married in Dubai at the weekend in a whirlwind wedding just days after meeting each other. 

BEFORE making his most ambitious album Cosmic Opera Act I, Labrinth reached a crossroads: Was he chasing fame or authenticity?

He says: “Am I on a journey to be famous or am I on another journey where creative fulfilment doesn’t always mean being super-successful?”

The album, he explains, came from choosing the latter — and finally being at peace with that decision.

Labrinth has had hits and won major awards since being discovered and signed to Simon Cowell’s Syco label in 2010.

I thought it was weird that I wasn’t obsessed with awards and accolades, and I questioned if I was in the right industry

Labrinth

These include MOBO and Brit Awards for collaborations with Tinie Tempah, an Ivor Novello, an Emmy for his Euphoria soundtrack, alongside Grammy nominations for work with The Weeknd, Beyonce and Billie Eilish.

Chatting on a video call from a studio in LA, the singer and producer says: “There were moments in my career where I found myself more focused on novelty and gold.

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“There are artists who want to be at the Grammys in three years — that’s their focus. They want to be successful and famous within a certain time and organise all of that in their head.

“For me, I was more focused on the music than the fame. I’d be obsessed with a guitar sounding like a Chuck Berry record and I started to question if I was in the right place. Should I be chasing success?

“I thought it was weird that I wasn’t obsessed with awards and accolades, and I questioned if I was in the right industry.”

On his recent single, the hip-hop confessional Implosion, Labrinth says: “I was losing my mind. It was ripping away from my ego.

“When you taste success, it’s an addictive drug, and you don’t know you’re obsessed. It’s chasing dopamine. You don’t know you’re addicted until you try to pull away.

“If you need success to be validated or to be fulfilled, then there’s something wrong. And that’s where the implosion for me was. I needed to evolve beyond these urges and needs. Then I got an ADHD diagnosis and everything made sense.”

That was two years ago, when the artist born Timothy McKenzie finally got an answer that explained his behaviour.

He says: “I was lucky and went to see a doctor in the US.

“It can take months, even years, to get answers. I went to see Dr Amen, who is a celebrity doctor, and he did a scan of my brain.

“He could literally point things out like where I’d hit my head when I was ten. He did a real deep dive into how my brain works. And after that, it allowed me to be a lot more forgiving with myself.”

The idea for Cosmic Opera Act I came from the inner turmoil Labrinth had experienced with his mental health in the entertainment business while trying to define his own success plus his love for films like Star Wars.

“I still haven’t been to an opera — I know that sounds insane,” he says with a laugh.

“The opera is connected to drama and deep emotion.

“Then the cosmic part was after reading an article which said there are as many connections in our brain as there are stars in our universe.

“So that was the perspective of the title — with mental health the subject.

“I’ve always been a fan of opera from a distance, and I’ve always enjoyed the idea of exploring it.

“Also, I grew up with films from the Eighties like Indiana Jones and Star Wars. Those film scores stuck in my mind and I wanted to make an album that incorporated and explored their sound.

“Of course, me working in film and TV pushed me further into that direction.”

I wrote that song to show how I had evolved from the pain and confusion about my dad. I looked at myself as being a mini Luke Skywalker coming out of his demons

Labrinth

Labrinth’s love of Star Wars was also the inspiration behind one of the many standout songs on the album, S.W.M.F. (Star Wars Motherf***er), the singer feeling at peace with his demons.

It was a battle that helped him agree to soundtracking the Christmas John Lewis advert, a remake of 1990 rave classic Where Love Lives with original vocalist Alison Limerick.

“The John Lewis song was the finish line of dealing with demons for me — which was my relationship with my father.

“The John Lewis storyline was about a father and son’s relationship, so me doing the ad was like me saying, ‘Hey, Dad, I get it’.”

He adds: “Our relationship wasn’t great. My dad, who has passed, was violent and not present. He’d had a horrible childhood with an extremely violent stepfather, and that affected the way he was a father to me.

“I saw him occasionally. He was a bit of a ladies’ man, and I don’t think he knew how to be present enough for me as a kid. He didn’t do stuff like taking me to the park or giving me advice.

“Also, he was violent with me, trying to knock me for six when I was very young.

“So I had to face those demons and it made me think about my own anger or frustration. But when I look back, I feel pity for him, because he didn’t have the tools that I have today.

“It was the same with ADHD — I wanted to understand my brain and the way it works, so that I could be the best father I can be to my three young kids. And, in that journey, it made me think of my dad compared to my relationship with my kids and the moments they needed me — because I never had that.

“So I wrote that song to show how I had evolved from the pain and confusion about my dad. I looked at myself as being a mini Luke Skywalker coming out of his demons.”

God Spoke is a special gospel-influenced track inspired by Labrinth’s struggles with religion.

He says: “I grew up very religious. My grandad is a reverend and my mum is a devout Christian. She came over for Christmas to be with her grandkids, and we had loads of talks about religion.

I had a really bad temper. I would be kicked out of class all the time and I’d end up in the music room

Labrinth

“I’m spiritual, but I don’t follow a practice. I have all the respect for those who do follow a religion but I see God as unlimited and infinite and in a lot more places than a room or a structure — that’s why, to me, it’s bigger than one religion or one place.

“So God Spoke is like a homage to my grandad. When I was a kid, a lot of people would come to church for redemption. So I wrote that I’m at the end of being the old me, and I’m ready to grow and morph into the new me.”

Burn out

Labrinth says music was his saviour as a child and he would spend hours making music after being excluded.

“I got in a lot of trouble at school,” he says.

“I had a really bad temper. I would be kicked out of class all the time and I’d end up in the music room.

“Eventually it got to the point where I would get in trouble purposely, just so I could go there, because it was the easiest place for me to be, and the most peaceful.”

Labrinth says there is still not enough help with artists and their mental health in the entertainment industry.

He says: “RSD — Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria — is associated with ADHD and there are many artists in the music industry with this.

“Artists don’t learn how to manage their careers or their mental health. When they get a deal, they can burn out because they don’t have the tools to support the way their brain works.

“A lot of artists can end up in drug abuse, because they don’t have the skills to deal with a song not working.

“There isn’t a support system in the music industry — and it’s needed.”

In April Labrinth will take Cosmic Opera Act I to Coachella festival in California.

He says: “I am still working on how that looks, because it’s not cheap to do what is on the record. But I have big ideas and big visions for how I want to present the music and what I want to explore sonically.”

The Hackney-born star last played the festival in 2023 and was the talk of the weekend, with surprise guests Billie Eilish and Zendaya — in her first live show in over seven years, performing I’m Tired and All For Us from Euphoria on the second weekend.

“Zendaya was not planned at all,” says Labrinth. “Billie was the first week but Zendaya, who was on a film set, said she couldn’t make it.

“Then she called me to say she was going to Vegas to watch Usher and would be passing by. So it was literally last minute.”

Labrinth is looking forward to working on the score for Euphoria season three because Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer has joined the show’s production team.

He says: “The show is special because it speaks to the language of this era. That’s what inspired me.

“And this time, having Hans Zimmer involved — an experienced genius — makes a difference. I’ve always wanted to work with him, so this is my chance to do so.

If I could work with anyone next I’d say David Attenborough

Labrinth

“Gladiator was the film that got me on to Hans, and True Romance is another I love.

“He and Beyonce picked my song [Spirit] for Lion King so then I was like, ‘Well, I need to meet this guy’. It seems like life is trying to pull us together.”

Labrinth has learned a lot from working with superstars.

He says: “Beyonce has been a fan for a long time, because she’s checked out a lot of my records. She’s very kind, and treats people with respect, and is a real professional.

“Abel [The Weeknd] was like an animal in the studio. He knows what he wants and then it goes crazy when he releases something.

“If I could work with anyone next I’d say David Attenborough. I know he’s not a musician, but I love his voice and I’ve always wanted to put him on a record. Morgan Freeman and him — their voices are musical instruments to me.

“But next I’m in London working with Skepta. The UK has some special artists and I’m dying to get over there to perform.”

LABRINTH Cosmic Opera Act I

★★★★☆

PHOTO op queen Sydney Sweeney appears to have gone all camera shy — but then it was all an act to promote her underwear range.

The Euphoria actress, 28, chose a paparazzi-theme to show off the Seduction Bra and String You Along thong from her brand Syrn.

Another photo showed her in a fantasy lace halter bodysuit.

And fans appear to be falling for the hype.

One would-be buyer on social media was disappointed to find it was sold out, adding: “So sad.”

Another commented: “How is it all gone already?”

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Sydney Sweeney sizzles as she strips off to lace thong, bra & suspenders

Among the items which were snapped up was the $89 fantasy lace halter bodysuit and the “String You Along” lace thong costing $19.

Sydney previously revealed Syrn will offer designs split into four “personas” — seductress, romantic, playful and comfy — with 44 sizes between 30B and 42DDD.

She said: “The secret is finally out . . . this is lingerie you wear for YOU, no explanation, no apology.

“I wanted to create a place where women can move between all the different versions of who we are.

“I love working on cars, I go water skiing, I’ll dress up for the red carpet then go home to snuggle my dogs.

“I’m not one thing, no woman is.”

ACTRESS Margot Robbie hits a Hollywood height at her new film’s premiere — wearing a £6million necklace once owned by Elizabeth Taylor. 

The Taj Mahal diamond is a heart-shaped gold pendant set in jade and hanging from a gold, ruby and diamond chain made by Cartier. 

It was given to Elizabeth by fifth hubby Richard Burton for her 40th in 1972. 

Margot wore it to the world ­premiere of Wuthering Heights in Los Angeles, where she was earlier joined by co-star Jacob Elordi and singer Charli XCX, who recorded the film’s soundtrack. 

The actress, Cathy in the adaptation of Emily Bronte’s 1847 novel, said the necklace was poignant as it had “a lot of romantic history”. 

She said: “It’s our big Hollywood world premiere — we’ve got to go all out. 

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“This is Elizabeth Taylor’s necklace. It’s the Taj Mahal diamond that Richard ­Burton gave to her. 

“There’s something kind of Cathy and Heathcliff about ­Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor in my mind, so it felt appropriate.” 

The diamond was created for a 17th century Mughal emperor who ­commissioned the Taj Mahal.

It was later acquired by Cartier, with Burton buying it from them to give to Elizabeth. 

Following her death in 2011, it was sold at ­auction for £6million to an anonymous buyer. 

TWO years ago, Take That’s Howard Donald delivered 52 tapes to Netflix in an enormous Ikea bag.

He had spent the past 35 years quietly filming the band as they transformed from working-class lads into bona fide global stars.

“Are you sure it wasn’t a Prada bag?” Howard teases as I interview the group to celebrate the release of a three-part Netflix docuseries based on that footage.

Jokes aside, Howard, Gary Barlow, Jason Orange, Mark Owen and Robbie Williams handed full editorial control to director David Soutar to tell their story with zero interference.

It was a bold move given the much-publicised trials and tribulations of one of Britain’s biggest bands, who have landed 12 No1 singles in their 35-year career.

The series features candid new interviews with current members Gary, 55, Howard, 57, and Mark, 54, alongside never-before-seen footage and photographs.

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Robbie, 51, and Jason, 55, allowed archive chats with them to be used to narrate their part in the story.

In one emotionally-charged interview, Gary talks about his struggle with bulimia, which started following Take That’s split in 1996 and his rivalry with Robbie.

Taunts from Robbie are replayed during the documentary, with footage showing him saying: “My problem always was with Gary, I wanted to crush him. “I wanted to crush the memory of the band and I didn’t let go. Even when he was down I didn’t let go.”

Speaking at the premiere of the documentary at Battersea Power Station in South London on Monday night, Gary admits it was tough to watch.

‘Butt of the joke’’

He said: “It’s a narrative that I haven’t thought about for years and years. When we had our reunion we spent a lot of time talking about it and I remember leaving on one particular day and we’d discussed everything. And I remember leaving and my shoulders were light.

“And I’d not thought about it since because I’d not needed to. And it brought it all back. Tricky times they were.”

In the documentary, Gary shares previously unseen photographs of him as he struggled to find his purpose and says: “You’re the butt of the joke. It was so excruciating you just want to crawl into a hole.

“There was a period of 13 months where I didn’t leave the house once. I’d also started to put weight on.

“The more weight I put on the less people would recognise me and I thought, ‘This is good. This is what I have been waiting for. This is a normal life’.

“So I went on this mission then, if the food passed me I would just eat it. And I’d killed the pop star.

“I would have these nights and I would eat and eat and eat but however I felt about myself, I felt ten times worse the day after.”

At his heaviest, Gary, who has three children with his wife Dawn, weighed just over 17 stone.

He explained: “One day I thought, I have been out, it’s 10 o’clock, I have eaten too much, I need to get rid of this food.

It only took a few years to get that low, but it took me years to get back to who I wanted to be. Ten years probably.

Gary Barlow

“You just go off to a dark corner of the house and you make yourself sick. You think it’s only once and all of a sudden you’re walking down that corridor again and again.

“Is this it? Is this what I am going to be doing forever?”

By 2003, Gary turned his life around, and he said: “I just went, ‘No, I’m not having this any more, I’m going to change. I want to change and I’m determined that this is not who I’ve become’.

“It only took a few years to get that low, but it took me years to get back to who I wanted to be. Ten years probably.”

Discussing his recovery with The Sun in 2021, he explained: “I’ve been very strong-minded about how I live and what I eat.

“In general, I work on a 90/10 — 90 per cent sensible-choice food and ten per cent fun choices.

“Buy a nice little writing book, one you’ll feel good about holding and keeping on you at all times. Do a food diary every day, and look down and you’ll see what you’re doing wrong.

“A food diary will also show you what you’re missing in your diet. If you want to get serious and go to a dietician or to a friend and seek help, you can show them the diary.”

Howard is also painfully honest about how hard life was following the end of Take That.

In the documentary, Howard recalls returning home and says: “I felt like I was the only one who didn’t grow up, even though I was the eldest.

“I was a nobody in school, I didn’t go to university, I didn’t think I’d do anything but I felt like a superhero up on that stage.

“It was going towards a depressive state. I decided to go to the Thames.

“I was seriously thinking I was going to kill myself but I was too much of a s**tbag to do it.”

Speaking backstage at the premiere, Howard explains that the band did not want to hide the painful parts of their journey.

He said: “I think it is such a true documentary. You can easily do a documentary and take out all the bits that you feel uncomfortable with — and there are quite a lot of uncomfortable bits in there.

“But it’s true of the last 35 years of Take That. There is a lot of footage people have never seen. It’s good for people to see.”

Mark is also seen struggling to cope with life after the band, who landed their first Top Ten hit with a cover of Tavares’ It Only Takes A Minute in 1992.

He said backstage: “We were working hard, playing all these gigs and things got very hard — but then we got back together. Maybe miss out on the middle bit.”

‘I got a lot of stick’

Like Robbie and Gary, Mark attempted to launch a solo career, but was dropped by his label in 1997, a year after Take That split.

He added: “You start to feel very negative about yourself.”

Robbie and Jason’s clashes with the band’s former manager, Nigel Martin-Smith, are also discussed in the doc.

Robbie says: “Nigel as a manager, he never managed me, he managed Gary Barlow. I wanted him to love me but he never did.”

Jason adds: “When I was in Take That the first time around I was the dancer and I accepted that at the time.

“I don’t know if this is the time or place to say, I was told not to bother singing, ever.”

After the group came back as a four-piece without Robbie in 2005, they ceased working with Nigel and found new representation.

Of the change, Jason says: “Robbie and I got a lot of stick from Nigel. He made us all feel insecure.

“I could feel worthless in the band and I didn’t deserve to feel that. I didn’t want to feel that any more.

“We had chosen our own management, we had chosen our own people, we were in control.”

Director David admits there was some trepidation when it came to showing the three episodes for the first time.

In about 25 minutes we’d put things to bed that had haunted us for years.

Gary on Robbie feud

Speaking backstage alongside producer Gabe Turner, David said: “We talked long and hard about how to do it.

“There is some really hard stuff in there for them, it was a tricky thing for them to watch and it was nervy for us to watch it with them.

“They allowed us to push them to that place. We asked them to lay down their story and they allowed us to take them to that place.”

Gabe added: “Episode two is punchy. With a lot of documentaries you are building that relationship for the first time, you’re working on the fly, but these guys know us and know what we want to do.

“I felt really positive about how little they wanted to see it. They handed us the keys and said, ‘Do you thing’.”

As well as the tough times, Take That fans get a front seat to the inner workings of the group’s comeback with Robbie in 2011.

‘Haunted us for years’

Opening up about healing their old wounds, Robbie says: “I needed Gary to listen to my truth.”

Gary continues: “There were things around people not being supportive of his songwriting and his weight. I’d called him Blobby rather than Robbie one day, which I shouldn’t have done.

“Then I hit him with things he had done to me that I didn’t like

“In about 25 minutes we’d put things to bed that had haunted us for years.”

As well as hearing original demos on the series, fans also get treated to a new single, You’re A Superstar, at the end of the third episode.

The track, taken from their tenth album, is expected to be released later this year.

We’ve got the first steps, we’ve got the Netflix documentary, then we’ve got the Circus tour, then there will be new music.

Gary

Backstage at the screening in London, Howard said the trio have spent months working on the material, adding: “It’s going really well.

“We’ve all been writing separately, writing together and I think we’ve got a really good choice of really good songs.

“We are really proud of them and we just can’t wait for people to hear them.

“We’ve got the first steps, we’ve got the Netflix documentary, then we’ve got the Circus tour, then there will be new music.”

Mark continued: “The tenth album feels quite special. I am really excited about what I am hearing.

“It’s given us a boost, the songs that are coming through and the fact it’s our tenth record, it’s like ‘Go on guys!’.”

Ahead of their 17-date Circus Tour, which kicks off at St Mary’s Stadium in Southampton on May 29, fans will be wondering now if history will repeat itself — and Robbie will rejoin again.

And Gary for one is hopeful, saying yesterday: “At some point it’s going to happen.

“And that’s one of the wonderful things about our band — you never know what’s around the corner.”

• Netflix’s Take That is available to stream now.

TAKE That get taken back to some of their best days at the premiere of a three-part series on them, starting on Netflix today.

Gary Barlow, 55, Mark Owen, 53, and Howard Donald, 57, admitted some of the footage was “moving” at ­Battersea Power Station cinema in London last night.

It tells of their rise, split and comeback. Gary said: “It’s very emotional.”

The trio also performed Back For Good and Shine.

It comes after Gary Barlow welcomes the Brit Awards moving to Manchester claiming the music industry is ‘not just about London’.

The annual British music awards ceremony will be hosted in the North West for the first time after being held in the capital for its near 50-year history.

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Barlow said: “Manchester’s now such a place for media, we’ve got Media City there.

“People who were trained in like camera work were never trained in areas like that. So it’s such a massive thing for the country.

“It doesn’t surprise me at all the Brits are there, in fact it should have been there five years ago just because it’s not just about London, the music industry.

“In fact, London’s probably down the list you know, it’s so much regional talent.

“Look back in history and see where bands and artists have come from all over the country, not just in London.

On how to further spotlight regional talent, Barlow added: “I think we are.

“I think that’s one of the benefits of having an internet-based industry now, is that you can be anywhere. Doesn’t matter where you are.

“Even as artists working we can be anywhere. We can be songwriters and live anywhere now because the world’s a smaller place.”

Formed in 1989 in Manchester, Take That were originally made up of Barlow, Howard Donald, Mark Owen, Jason Orange and Robbie Williams.

The band broke up in 1996 after Williams’ departure with the four remaining band members reuniting in 2005 until Orange left in 2014.

I’VE been waiting ten years for this moment.

Ever since my first gondola ride — a short jaunt around The Venetian hotel in Las Vegas — I’ve wanted to experience the real thing, in Venice.

Now I am with a group of fellow journalists, so it’s not as romantic as it could be, but two Italians in stripy shirts and wide-brimmed hats are rowing me across the Floating City. Bucket list: tick.

Venice is a place you need to see at least once in your life.

From the breathtaking Piazza San Marco to the mesmerising mosaics of St Mark’s Basilica, astounding architecture of the Doge’s Palace and view from the 323ft high Campanile di San Marco bell tower, your phone’s battery will pay the price as you snap the spectacular sights.

From this Saturday to February 17 the historic Venice Carnival will burst on to the streets — this year’s theme is Olympus, The Origins Of The Game, in honour of the Winter Olympics being hosted in Milan and Cortina.

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Expect masks and dressing up everywhere as locals and visitors embrace the festival, plus parades, performances and themed shows.

Festival aside, winter and spring are brilliant times to explore the city without the crowds.

A tour of the bacari, or wine bars, is a great way to delve into the alleys between the canals and waterways. Over three hours we stop at four wine bars for cicchetti — Italian tapas — washed down with local wines or spritz cocktails.

The latter feature Aperol, Campari or, in Venetian style, Select — a spirit made using juniper berries.

A Bellini in Harry’s bar, though almost £20, is a must — this was Ernest Hemingway’s favourite bar, where the cocktail was invented.

Hawaiian rituals

Then a 25-minute water-taxi ride across the lagoon and a 20-minute cab journey take us to our 5H resort, Falkensteiner Hotel & Spa on the Lido di Jesolo — a purpose-built seaside resort on Italy’s Adriatic coast, with nine-mile sandy beach and vibrant promenade.

I’m staying in one of 50 huge suites, which have one, two and three-bedroom options, with separate bathrooms, living and kitchen areas, TVs and sea-view balconies.

The smell from the ground-floor restaurant is oh, so Italian — pizza, pasta and risotto. With buffet breakfasts and Michelin-starred dinners at the poolside restaurant, luckily I can run along the promenade to work it off.

Or there’s a gym at the hotel, and yoga and fitness classes. But I’m on holiday to relax, so it’s off to the Acqua Pura spa, which has a panoramic sauna with privacy glass, meaning I can take in the sea view.

An hour-long massage inspired by Hawaiian rituals, which starts with meditation, is, and I don’t say this lightly, the best I’ve ever had.

There is a babysitting service, plus a play room, kids’ pool area and playground on the beach.

Bicycles are available at the hotel, and cycle lanes throughout the town lead us to Europe’s longest shopping street, the Via Bafile — all eight miles of it.

This is a wonderfully relaxing beachside break in a traditional Italian town — as well as a bucket-list trip to the city of romance.

What’s not to love?